Falcon 6X Time does not wait.  Rather paradoxically, this quote from Lenin has never been more poignant than for Dassault and the launch of their new Falcon 6X on 28th February 2018. In fact, the manufacturer has precious little time when faced with competition and following the delays in the 5X program and their decision to stop the latter in December 2017.   Never mind. Dassault has been through worse. The Falcon 5X program will leave its mark within the manufacturer’s ranks for sure. But its years of development will not, in fact, be in vain… Far from it. The advent of the Falcon 6X tends to show the manufacturer’s incredible flexibility and the fact that it remains a front-runner in the latest high-end aircraft race. Less than two months will have elapsed between the official announcement of the discontinuation of the Falcon 5X program and the public presentation ceremony of the Falcon 6X. An all-time record.   Quick decision The decision to launch the aircraft’s program was taken in September 2017 just as Dassault’s management was told by Safran that an additional delay was expected on the SilverCrest. Such a delay was inconceivable for the aircraft manufacturer who has already “sacrificed” more than three years on its initial schedule. This resulted in all hands on deck for the consulting firms of the St Cloud aircraft manufacturer, who were under pressure to find new solutions.  Dassault needed to once again be present in this market segment which the French aircraft manufacturer could not leave to its only competitor Gulfstream. At the NBAA convention, Dassault Aviation approached Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) to find a replacement engine. A derivative of the P&WC PW800, the PW812D

Gulstream delivered the first G650ER into mainland China in March 2016. Gulfstream Aerospace recently delivered the 300th aircraft in the Gulfstream G650 family, just over five years after the aircraft entered service in December 2012. At least 70 of the G650 and G650ER aircraft are in service in Asia-Pacific, including 57 in Greater China, according to data from Hong Kong consultants Asian Sky Group. “The continued popularity and demand for the G650 affirms its position as the leader in the ultra-long-range segment,” says Gulfstream president Mark Burns, “The aircraft amassed an impressive backlog of orders when we announced it in 2008, and that backlog is still strong today. The introduction of the G650 was a turning point — not just for Gulfstream, but for the industry as a whole. We set out to change the game and ultimately, we did just that.” The G650 is the fastest large-cabin, non-supersonic aircraft to circumnavigate the globe, having flown westbound around the world in a record-setting 41 hours and 7 minutes, claiming 22 city-pair speed records along the way. In late 2017, the G650ER proved its performance capabilities with a worldwide record streak, setting five records in six days, including New York to Paris and Tokyo to New York. Together, the aircraft have set 70 city-pair records. The G650 can fly up to 7,000 nm when flying at Mach 0.85. The extended-range variant, the G650ER, can fly up to 7,500 nm at the same long-range cruise. Both aircraft are capable of a near-supersonic maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925.   Source: AVIATIONWEEK

Phenom 300E Embraer has delivered the first new Phenom 300E business jet, having received its type certificate in the first quarter from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC – Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil). The new light jet model was launched—and debuted—at the 2017 National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), in October 2017. The new aircraft is designated “E” for “Enhanced” in reference to its entirely redesigned cabin and the addition of the industry-leading nice® HD CMS/IFE (Cabin Management System/InFlight Entertainment) by Lufthansa Technik. The Phenom 300, the new model’s successful predecessor, has been the best-selling and most delivered light business jet for the last six years. “We are thrilled to deliver the first Phenom 300E on schedule, only five months after its launch, with overwhelming positive reviews from customers and the market,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “I want to congratulate our teams, who have so passionately worked to bring to market yet another best-seller, delivering true value to customers. I am also elated for our first Phenom 300E owner, a return customer who will enjoy an even more elevated customer experience with all the truly innovative value in this amazing new aircraft.” “The Phenom 300E is an elegant and comfortable aircraft that is the best match for our travel needs throughout Africa,” said Mr. John McCormick, a South Africa businessman. “The interior architecture and design are modern and all the customization options allowed us to make the aircraft perfect for us. The Phenom 300 has served us quite well and we’re even more excited to fly the Phenom 300E home.”