Business Aviation » Business Aviation Aircraft

News and issues relating to business, aircraft, primarily turbine-engine powered airplanes and helicopters.

Market Recovery Ellusive, Says Dassault
May 20, 2013 - 1:40pm
Dassault Falcon Jet

Dassault is still waiting for a recovery of the U.S. business aircraft market–a market that has “no reason not to be back,” company officials said at EBACE on Monday. As are most industry executives, the Dassault officials appeared perplexed by worldwide sales trends.

“In 2013, we had a good early start in January and February but then things went disappointing,” said John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet (Booth 7090). Net sales in the first quarter reached 14, a better performance than the 10 sales during last year’s first quarter.
Amjet’s VVIP MD-83 On Show At EBACE
May 20, 2013 - 12:45pm
Amjet MCDonnell Douglas MD-83

One of the largest aircraft on display here at EBACE is a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 operated by Athens-based Amjet Executive (Booth 819), which has its charter business located here in Geneva. The aircraft is fresh out of the workshop having undergone a major overhaul that has turned an airliner workhorse into a VVIP transport that is fit for a head of state.

King Air Leads Beechcraft Revival
May 20, 2013 - 11:57am
Beechcraft

Since it exited a 10-month restructuring process and Chapter 11 protection in February, the rebranded Beechcraft (formerly Hawker Beechcraft) has performed well and is even looking at possible new models to bolster its turboprop line-up.
Nextant Debuts 400XTi at EBACE
May 20, 2013 - 11:30am
Nextant 400XTi

Nextant Aerospace has chosen EBACE to launch the 400XTi (the ‘i’ stands for innovation), the latest evolution of the remanufactured light business jet. Compared to the 400XT, the new version introduces a number of improvements, including an all-new cabin that offers more space and reduced noise.

Legacy 500 Makes First Appearance Outside Brazil
May 20, 2013 - 11:15am
Legacy 500

The new Embraer Legacy 500 made its first appearance outside Brazil as it flew here from Brazil to EBACE, where it is on display in the static park. Yesterday, Embraer Executive Jets president Ernie Edwards reported that the airplane successfully underwent cold-soak tests in a freezing hangar at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida following its first leg from São Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The next leg was a short hop to Embraer’s U.S. manufacturing facilities in Melbourne, Florida, where guests viewed the airplane and order-holders defined their preferred interior configurations.

Bombardier Launches Challenger 350
May 20, 2013 - 11:00am
Bombardier Challenger 350

Bombardier Aerospace took the wraps off the Challenger 350–an upgraded Challenger 300 with a new wing, more powerful engines, larger windows and redesigned interior– May 19 on the EBACE show floor. NetJets was also announced as the launch customer for the new $25.8 million twinjet, which is $1 million more than its fraternal twin, which Bombardier will continue to offer. First deliveries of the new Challenger are scheduled to begin in May 2014.
Cessna Sees Sales Success With New Citation M2
May 20, 2013 - 9:10am
Cessna's opening ceremony

Yesterday at an EBACE press conference, Cessna CEO Scott Ernest provided progress reports on current production in its jet, turboprops and piston lines as well as on the research-and-development status of its mid-range and super-mid-range cabin jets.

“The Garmin 3000-equipped Citation M2 is right on track and, best of all, we’ve sold out production completely for the next two years,” he said. “The [new] Cessna Citation X is expected in quarter-four 2013, while the G5000-equipped Latitude should be flying by January 2014, and I expect that to be in service in 2015.”
Piaggio Aero Reduces Avanti Maintenance Intervals
May 20, 2013 - 7:20am
PiaggioAero

Piaggio Aero announced a reduced maintenance program for Avanti I/IIs here at EBACE, extending the heavy inspection intervals for the twin turboprop. Under the new inspection schedule, C and D checks–previously due at 1,500 and 3,000 hours, respectively–have been stretched to 1,800 and 3,600 hours.
Tyrolean Jet Services Add Three Airplanes To Charter Fleet
May 20, 2013 - 6:40am
Tyrolean Jet Services ACJ

Martin Lener, CEO of Tyrolean Jet Services, has watched the company evolve since nearly its beginning, joining the group in 1980, just one year after its founding as the business jet flight department for Austria’s Swarovski, which produces cut crystal glass for decorative, optical and industrial applications. Here at EBACE, Innsbruck, Austria-based Tyrolean (Booth 449) is showing an ACJ318ER equipped to carry 19 passengers.

Satcom Direct Signs Up To Resell OnAir Connectivity Services
May 20, 2013 - 4:55am
OnAir

Satcom Direct (Booth 455) has signed up to become a reseller of OnAir’s in-flight GSM mobile phone service. The U.S.-based company will market the Mobile OnAir product to business aircraft operators.

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