Aircharter News

G600 Gulfstream has added a third Gulfstream G600 to its flight test program. The aircraft flew for the first time from Savannah on May 5, with the flight lasting for 4 hours and 35 minutes. “The consistent execution of the G600 flight-test program is directly correlated to our investments in research and development and is a testament to the rigor and discipline of our processes,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “We take great pride in ensuring we deliver on our promises and look forward to our G600 entering service next year.” Gulfstream flew the prototype G600 for the first time on December 17 2016, with the second aircraft taking to the skies for the first time on February 24, 2017. The Savannah based airframer is aiming for certification of the G600 in 2018, with customer deliveries following shortly afterwards. Source: CORPORATEJETINVESTOR

TAV Airports has included Qassim and Hail airports in Saudi Arabia to its portfolio following Madinah and Yanbu. TAV, with its partner Al Rajhi Group, will develop the two airports and operate them for 30 years. Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has disclosed that they have selected TAV Airports, in partnership with Al Rajhi Holding Group, for operating Qassim and Hail International Airports for 30 years. Upon the closing of the selection process, the number of airports operated by TAV worldwide will reach 17 and the company will be operating four airports in Saudi Arabia. TAV Airports President & CEO Sani Şener said: “TAV has become one of the world's highly-preferred brands thanks to the know-how acquired in airport construction and operation business. TAV's success in the Madinah Airport project, which was the first airport privatization project in Saudi Arabia, opened new doors in this country. In the last two months, TAV has been selected by the Civil Aviation Authority of Saudi Arabia for the development and operation of three more airports. With the addition of Qassim and Hail to our portfolio, the number of passengers in Saudi Arabia will increase to 10.5 million per annum; while the number of passengers at all airports abroad will reach 25 million. TAV has its signature in the capital city airports of six countries in the Gulf Region, which is the most challenging market of the world. We sustain our growth in the region by working in harmony with our local partners. Furthermore, we continue seizing the opportunities at various regions worldwide." Providing service to approximately 2.5 million passengers last year, Qassim and Hail airports will reach approximately 6.5 million passenger capacity per year thanks to

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic results for March 2017 showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 6.8%, compared to the same month a year ago. Middle East carriers' traffic growth slowed to 4.9% in March compared to a year ago, which was a considerable slowing from January and February year-over-year demand growth. Capacity grew 6.1% and load factor climbed by half a percentage point to 80.4%, which was a record for the month. March demand growth represented a moderate slowdown relative to performance in February after adjusting for the distortion in the year-to-year comparisons owing to the extra day in February 2016. The imposition of the ban on large electronics in the cabin on certain routes to the US and UK occurred too late in March to have an effect on traffic figures. “Strong traffic demand continued throughout the first quarter, supported by a combination of lower fares and a broad-based upturn in global economic conditions. The price of air travel has fallen by around 10% in real terms over the past year and that has contributed to record load factors. We will have to wait another month to see the impact of the laptop ban on demand,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. March international passenger demand rose 6.4% compared to March 2016, which was a slight deceleration compared to February, after adjusting for the leap year distortion in February. Airlines in all regions recorded growth. Total capacity climbed 6.1%, and load factor improved 0.2% percentage points to 78.8%. Middle East Carriers This is related more to developments seen last year, while any impacts from the laptop ban will be visible

Legacy 500 We took a night flight on the Legacy 500 to test the EFVS (Enhanced Flight Vision System). The EFVS is the name given to the incorporation of an EVS (Enhanced Vision System) image on an HUD (Head Up Display). The system frequently found on higher-end aircraft is a new feature in one more ways than one. It was designed and developed by Rockwell Collins. Our system is in part composed of the HGS3500, a HUD system used in the Legacy family and one of the most compact systems on the market. It directly displays the most important flight information in the pilot’s visual field and unlike traditional systems is not made up of a projector and a display system but rather is an all-in-one information display system. The reduced complexity, weight and volume allows it to be integrated in the “mid” and mid-light” aircraft, which is a first for these segments. The device also includes the EVS-3000 system composed of 3 cameras that provide clear images of the visual field at the front of the aircraft on the HUD and on the engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) screen. The system functions regardless of the conditions, whether in rain storms or low visibility (fog). This new EVS has increased detection capacities of runway lighting systems using short-wave infrared and visible frequencies, as well as, technically challenging, LED lighting and sources of incandescent and halogen lighting (which in the context may cause glare for the pilot). The component uses electronic processing to represent an image surpassing the human eye. Moreover the system is the most light-weight and compact on the market. Since 2004, the FAA has allowed certain operators using the system to begin an approach regardless of the minimum RVR (Runway Visual Range) in line with the published approach minima. Pilots could continue their approach until 100 ft if the

g500 Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s G500 flight-test program continues to make significant progress toward the aircraft’s anticipated 2017 certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The five G500 test aircraft, including a fully outfitted production aircraft, have surpassed 2,600 flying hours and accumulated more than 600 flights. “Development testing is complete; company testing is well under way, and FAA certification has started, putting us right on track for certification and customer deliveries later this year,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. Gulfstream designed the G500 interior after extensive customer feedback, and that collaboration continues. Recently, members of Gulfstream’s Advanced Technology Customer Advisory Team (ATCAT) spent an hour flying in the fully outfitted production aircraft, which serves as the test bed for the cabin. “The feedback during and after these flights was extremely positive,” Burns said. “Our customers tell us that the added flexibility of the cabin, the comfort of our newly designed seats and the enhanced satellite communications will ensure that the G500 customer experience is second to none.” The flight was an unforgettable one for ATCAT member Peter Zeeb, the director of maintenance for Oregon-based Ochoco Administrative Services, which operates three Gulfstream aircraft. “Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to be part of the ATCAT program for the last six years,” Zeeb said. “I truly believe the G500 will be a game-changer for business aviation. The flight was a ‘career’ moment for me. I will never forget it!” Source: ULTIMATEJET  

  The G500 recently marked its longest flight on a mission from Savannah, Ga., out past San Francisco over the Pacific Ocean and back to Savannah. (Photo: Gulfstream Aerospace) Gulfstream continues to check off milestones for its G500 and G600 programs with a G500 recently logging its longest test flight and a third G600 set to fly today for the first time. The G500 has remained on track for service entry this year, with five flight-test aircraft amassing 2,750 hours and more the 640 flights by mid-April. The program earlier this month logged its longest endurance flight when a G500 flew 10 hours, six minutes across the U.S. The flight, which was used to test the onboard satellite communications system, took off from Savannah, Georgia, flew 300 miles west of San Francisco over the Pacific Ocean and headed back to Savannah. The route covered 4,808 nm. Gulfstream flew the fifth of five test G500s—a production aircraft being used for cabin evaluation—on the mission. Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics, told analysts during the company’s first-quarter earnings call today that Gulfstream expects to wrap up certification flight tests for the G500 in October, with certification and initial deliveries still anticipated by year-end. The G500 is designed to fly 5,000 nm at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm at Mach 0.90. Once the aircraft is certified, Novakovic expects the ramp-up of the G500 to happen more quickly than that of the G650, saying the aircraft will be more mature by the time it reaches market. As for the longer-range G600, Novakovic said the third aircraft is expected to join the flight-test program today. The certification timeline for the G600 is expected to follow about

The visit of the Gulfstream flagship G650ER to Dubai World Central allowed Scott Neal, Gulfstream's senior vice-president of worldwide sales, the chance to show Dave Calderwood around the aircraft and explain why it is so vital to the Middle East. Gulfstream Walk up the airstairs to the entrance of Gulfstream’s flagship G650ER and you enter a world of calm, comfort and amazing space. There are four living areas, galley, bathroom, baggage area and, of course, the high-tech cockpit up front. And, remember, this $70 million aircraft is also the fastest, longest-range, biggest-cabin business jet available. “The G650 has been extremely well received,” said Scott Neal, Gulfstream’s senior vice-president of worldwide sales. “There are more than 200 G650s and ERs in service, and 25 of those are based here in the Middle East. It is a very popular aircraft in the region. “The G650 has helped grow Gulfstream. It’s one of the most successful programmes we’ve ever had. The next available aircraft we can deliver to a customer is in the middle of 2018, so we have a strong backlog and a strong customer commitment. “The Middle East is an extremely important market for Gulfstream and has been for 40 years. We have 120 aircraft based in the region.” Gulfstream and parent company, General Dynamics, have invested in Jet Aviation’s (also a GD company) maintenance facility at Dubai International Airport and also $22 million in a parts centre at Dubai South. “We want to make sure that we position support where our customers are based,” said Neal. “We want to be available and capable of supporting aircraft at their home base.” Two all-new aircraft are on the way from Gulfstream, the G500 and G600.

Embraer Brazilian airframer Embraer delivered 33 aircraft in the first quarter of 2017—18 commercial airliners and 15 executive jets. The figures announced on April 13 represented a 25 percent drop compared with the 44 aircraft delivered in the same period of 2016 (21 commercial jets and 23 executive jets). The 18 commercial airliners consisted of 16 E175 jets and 2 E195 jets that were delivered to operators in Europe, China and the U.S. Meanwhile, the 15 executive jets consisted of 11 light jets and 4 large jets. Embraer’s firm order backlog, as of March 31, was valued $19.2 billion, 12 percent down on the $21.9 billion figure for the first quarter of 2016. In the business aviation sector, Embraer's main achievement was the recognition by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association of its Phenom 300 as the best selling executive jet in the world for the fourth succesive year. While the Phenom 300 has amassed 266 deliveries since 2013, the first of the new Phenom 100EV model was delivered to an undisclosed U.S. customer during this quarter. During the first quarter of this year, Embraer achieved the rollout and first flight of the E195-E2 ahead of schedule. Azul Brazilian Airlines will be the launch operator of the E195-E2, followed by Scandinavian carrier Widerøe, in next year's first half. Source: Ainonline  

BBJ Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) is seeing unprecedented growth in Greater China, where the fleet has tripled over the last five years – with 29 BBJ aircraft in operation. The success of the BBJ fleet in Greater China is driving strong interest in the newest members of the BBJ family, the BBJ MAX 7 and the BBJ 787. “The Greater China BBJ Fleet continues to grow because our customers know Boeing Business Jets offer unbeatable versatility and reliability,” said Greg Laxton, vice president, Boeing Business Jets “We are very confident that strong growth will continue in Greater China. We expect the new BBJMAX family to be very popular in this market with additional cabin space and significant range increase.” The Greater China BBJ fleet will continue to expand this year with two BBJs, one BBJ 2 and one BBJ 787 entering into service in 2017. In 2018, two BBJ MAX 8s will be delivered to customers in the region. Boeing Business Jets recently signed an agreement with Ameco Beijing to serve as an official BBJ warranty service centre. The BBJ and Ameco agreement allows BBJ customers based in Greater China customised and fast support for their aircraft. “Boeing Business Jets is committed to offering world-class customer support. This deal with Ameco is another way that our customers based in Greater China can access support that is fast and customised to their specific needs,” said Laxton.

Bombardier has flown the Global 7000 prototype at speeds up to Mach 0.995 five months after launching the flight test programme, the company says on 29 March. In becoming the largest business jet to come within five-thousandths of a Mach number below supersonic speed, the achievement shows the Global 7000 flight envelope is expanding. The Global 7000, powered by two GE Aviation Passport engines, will enter service in 2018 with a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925, but the jet is flown beyond that limit in flight tests.   Global 7000 Since first flight, Bombardier has racked up 200 hours in the flight test campaign with two prototypes —FTV1 and FTV2. “Our flight test vehicles continue to show a high degree of maturity in testing, dispatching twice daily in many cases,” says Michel Ouellette, senior vice-president for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 programmes. The first two prototypes feature the Global 7000’s fly-by-wire system and engine, but rely on a pre-production version of the wings. Bombardier announced in July 2015 a wing redesign that caused the programme to delay entry into service by two years. In February, chief executive Alain Bellemare revealed the redesign reduced the weight of the wing, but the aerodynamics of the airfoils remain unchanged. The first flight of a prototype Global 7000 with the lighter-weight wing installed is expected this summer.   The Global 7000 is designed to fly distances up to 7,400nm, fitting between the range of the Gulfstream G650 and G650ER. By contrast, the Global 7000 is longer than either Gulfstream model, accommodating a fourth cabin zone.   Source: FlightGlobal.