Aircharter News

The fifth flight-test Global 7000, which is currently on the production line, has already been outfitted with the new lighter, and final, version of the wing for the ultra-long-range jet. (Photo: Bombardier) Bombardier Business Aircraft is planning to incorporate a slightly lighter wing on its Global 7000, beginning with its fifth flight-test vehicle (FTV), but the company maintains that the certification program for what will become its top-of-the-line business jet remains on track for entry into service in late 2018. The company is not detailing the changes involved with the wing, but stresses that the only change involves the weight, not aerodynamics. Previous issues involving the wing design contributed to the nearly two-year delay in the development program and led to the legal dispute between Bombardier and its wing supplier, Triumph Group, that was recently settled. Triumph disclosed earlier this year that it had filed a lawsuit seeking $340 million from Bombardier, citing costs and delays associated from “Bombardier-directed changes to the original wing requirements for the Global 7000 program.” Bombardier had responded the claims were “without merit” and said it would assert its own “major claims against Triumph.” But at the same time, both companies stressed they continued to work collaboratively, and this culminated in a settlement announced last month that Triumph said “resets the commercial relationship” between the companies. “Our aerospace structures business has been dedicated to supporting Bombardier on this critical program since entering into the contract and remains committed to the program’s continued success as the aircraft transitions from flight testing to entry into service,” Triumph president and CEO Daniel Crowley said of the settlement. Bombardier had remained quiet about the issues related to the rework of the wing until earlier this

 Bombardier celebrated the 3,000th Learjet delivery and delivery of the 100th Learjet 75 on June 2. learjet 75 Bombardier’s ceremonial handover of a Learjet 75 to Leggett & Platt on Friday commemorated two major milestones: the 3,000th Learjet manufactured and the 100th Learjet 75 delivery. The milestone comes more than 50 years after Bill Lear helped pioneer the business aviation industry with the introduction of the Lear Jet 23, which it claims as the first purpose-built business jet to enter production. The nascent Lear Jet company, which had established a home in Wichita, handed over the first Model 23 to Chemical and Industrial Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1964, about a year after first flight, according to the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Originally known as Lear Jet (two words), the company built a little more than 100 of the $540,000 model 23s before moving to the 24 in 1966, followed by a succession of later models. Along the way, its corporate brand changed to one word, Learjet. Bombardier bought the storied manufacturer in 1990 and in 1997 introduced the Learjet 75 predecessor, the Learjet 45. The 75, with its Mach 0.81 speed and 2,000-nm range, offered a number of enhancements over its predecessor, including new canted winglets and other aerodynamic improvements; and the Garmin G5000touchscreen-controlled avionics suite, the first implementation of this system in a Part 25 jet. The first of the 75s was delivered in late 2013. Leggett & Platt, the recipient of the 100th Learjet 75, is a repeat customer for Bombardier; this 75 is its second. Founded in 1883, the company also is a pioneer, but in sleep technology. Leggett & Platt introduced its first bedspring nearly 125 years ago and now is a diversified

Bombardier Global 5000 and 6000 Bombardier are displaying a Global 6000 with its new ‘Premier’ cabin at the EBACE show this year. Available on both all current in production Global family aircraft, the new interiors feature KA-band connectivity, currently the fastest internet solutions available. The new cabins take their design cues from the upcoming Global 7000 and Global 8000 cabins. “Cabin comfort and sophistication are top priorities for our customers. Global aircraft already lead the industry with spectacular cabin interiors, and our new Premier cabin demonstrates that we are committed to remain ahead of the curve across all of our products,” said David Coleal, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. As well as connectivity, Bombardier also reworked the seats on the aircraft, which now include higher armrests and sculpted backrests. “The refined aesthetics, luxury and ambience of our new Premier cabin, combined with an advanced cabin management system and Ka-band connectivity, will result in an even more productive experience for our Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft passengers.” added Coleal.   Source: CorporateJetInvestor.

Waves EBACE 2017/Cessna Grand Caravan EX Waves Technologies has ordered a Cessna Grand Caravan EX single engine turboprop for a new on-demand, user-driven air taxi service for the UK Channel Islands. The order was announced during EBACE 2017 in Geneva. Tom Perry, vice president of Sales, Europe said: “We are thrilled Waves has chosen the robust Grand Caravan EX platform to launch this exciting new air taxi service.” “We are confident that the Grand Caravan EX will provide Waves and its customers a dependable and comfortable experience with the aircraft’s ability to land on short runways, carry high payloads and take on nearly any mission with efficiency and simplicity,” added Perry. The Guernsey-based flight service is set to launch in August and will fly customers to and from the Channel Islands using a reservation system that will allow customers to reserve flights in real time based on user demand. The Grand Caravan EX will be the company’s primary air taxi platform. Nick Magliocchetti, CEO of Waves said: “We are very excited to be working closely with Textron Aviation. The support and encouragement has been priceless. The Grand Caravan EX is the perfect choice for our inter island air taxi service and the positive feedback it has received during our demos across the islands has been outstanding. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship together.” Recently, EASA passed commercial air transport (CAT) single-engine turboprop (SET) instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) regulations. These new rules open up operations for companies like Waves to start air taxi services.   Source: CorporateJetInvestor  

PC-24 The third Pilatus PC-24 prototype – P03, representing the series standard – is being unveiled to the general public at this week’s European Business Aviation Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. Three PC-24 prototypes have accumulated a total of 950 flights and 1525 hours in the air to date. Further certification flights are currently in progress. Series production is underway at Pilatus headquarters and is even accelerating to ensure on-time delivery after certification, expected by Q4-2017. “I’m delighted that we can now unveil the first series-conform PC-24 to the general public at EBACE,” says Pilatus Chairman Oscar J. Schwenk. “We are confident of being able to convince even more potential customers of the uniquely outstanding performance of our Made-in-Switzerland Business Jet!” Outfitted with the executive Zermatt interior, the so-called super versatile jet while be on the static display of Geneva International. There will also be a mock-up at the company’s booth in the Palexpo halls with the Vail interior, shown for the first time in the flexible six plus two seating configuration. During the 2014 edition of EBACE, Pilatus sold 84 PC-24s in the space of just 36 hours. The order book is currently closed, but is due to re-open in 2018 after receipt of the first positive reports from PC-24 operators. Final PC-24 performance data will be published after certification.   Source: FLY-CORPORATE

ACJ330neo Airbus has officially launched the ACJ330neo private jet, completing its lineup of new engine option aircraft. Based on the A330neo commercial airliner, the ACJ330neo will be able to fly 25 passengers for up to 20 hours. “For customers, such as countries needing to fly heads of state and delegations worldwide on government business, the ACJ330neo offers an unbeatable combination of modern design, proven capability and productivity, as well as being part of the world’s best-selling widebody family,” John Leahy, COO, Airbus. Powered by twin Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engines, the aircraft is expected to use 12% less fuel than the original A330. Customer deliveries of the airline version are due to begin in 2018, with the first production slot for the ACJ version reserved for 2019.   Source: CorporateJetInvestor.

Passenger wait times at Dubai International (DXB) has dropped by as much as ten per cent during the first quarter of 2017 thanks to the implementation of new technologies at the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic.   Recent results show that in the first three months of 2017, 84 per cent of transfer passengers were processed within 5 minutes, 68 per cent of arrival passengers were processed within 15 minutes, and 87 per cent of departing passengers were processed within ten minutes. The first technology driving down transaction times and queues at immigration check points is Smart Gates. Smart Gates, and specifically a new service that enables the use of Emirates ID cards to pass through automated immigration gates at DXB, has pushed down transaction times to an average of 10 to 15 seconds per passenger. Since its introduction last year over 1.3 million UAE users have taken advantage of the service. Completely free of charge and requiring no pre-registration, the service is available on some 120 Smart Gates across DXB and makes passing through immigration fast and convenient for all UAE residents. Launched last year by GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs), Emirates Identity Authority and Dubai Airports, the system can quickly, accurately and efficiently confirm the identity, travel plans and eligibility of UAE residents to enter and depart the country. The second technology behind shorter wait times is a sophisticated motion sensor system that allows the airport to track queues in real time. The system consists of a series of 530 sensors that have been installed at crucial passenger processing areas in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at DXB. The sensors track the movement of people, collecting and computing

Cessna has stopped making the Citation Mustang that defined a once-booming market for entry-level light jets when the Textron Aviation subsidiary launched the programme 15 years ago.   Cessna Citation Mustang The last Mustang rolled off the assembly line and is set for delivery to a customer in the next several weeks, Cessna announced on 11 May. Production of the newer and more capable M2 light jet will continue, Cessna says. “We remain dedicated to developing new products and providing solutions that matter to our customers,” says Rob Scholl, senior vice-president of Sales and Marketing for Textron Aviation. Cessna launched the Mustang as the industry’s first entry-level light jet in 2002, offering the five-seater with a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F turbofan engines. It achieved first flight in 2005 and began delivering to customers a year later. The Mustang survived the dramatic market bust that erupted during the global financial crisis in 2008, outlasting the original version of the Eclipse 500 and several other concepts in the light-jet category. But demand for the smallest jet in Cessna’s portfolio dwindled over the least three years. Cessna delivered only 26 jets from 2013-2016, far below the peak of 125 deliveries set in 2009. In total, Cessna delivered 472 Mustangs from 2006 to 2016, more than any other single product line over that period. “The Mustang proved to be an incredible success for our company and our customers,” Scholl says, “and we’re thrilled to celebrate the ingenuity and pride that went in to creating the world’s most popular entry-level light jet.”   Source: FlightGlobal

G600 The third Gulfstream G600 test aircraft successfully completed its first flight earlier this week, joining the test fleet. Taking off from the OEM’s Savannah, GA headquarters at Savannah-Hilton Head International on May 5, the G600 aircraft flew for a total of 4 hours and 35 minutes. According to a Gulfstream statement, the G600 aircraft will undergo numerous system tests required for its anticipated 2018 certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including field performance testing to assess handling in multiple runway configurations. The tests provide vital statistics needed to generate takeoff and landing data for the flight manual’s environmental conditions and configurations.   Source: Fly-corporate.

On May 4, Embraer delivered its 1,100th business jet—a Phenom 300 that was handed over to fractional provider NetJets. (Photo: Embraer Executive Jets) Embraer delivered its 1,100th business jet on May 4, some 15 years after delivering the first Legacy (it did not use model number designations at that time, but it later would be known as the Legacy 600). The milestone aircraft—a Phenom 300—was handed over to fractional provider NetJets at Embraer Executive Jets’ customer delivery center in Melbourne, Florida. “Embraer scored the four-digit mark in business jet deliveries in an impressively short period of time,” said Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano. “NetJets has been integral to our success story by co-creating a premium product to meet the tastes of their owners.” Notably, Embraer’s business aviation division has expanded at an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19 percent since 2002. Last year, Embraer Executive Jets garnered 18 percent market share of business jet deliveries. Its Phenom 300 has also earned the distinction of being the best-selling light business jet for the past four consecutive years. To date, more than 670 customers are flying 1,100 Embraer business jets—ranging from the entry-level Phenom 100 to the Lineage 1000 bizliner—in more than 70 countries. Source: AINONLINE