James Wynbrandt
Contributor - Business Aviation
A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air & Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley & Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.
Latest from James Wynbrandt
Aircraft
Embraer Displays Praetor, Phenom at Dubai Airshow
Brazilian OEM Embraer is showcasing the Praetor 500 and Phenom 300 in Dubai, highlighting the jets utility for the Middle East market.
Aircraft
Airbus Offers Missile Defense for VIP Airliners
Airbus Corporate Jets teams with Sabena Technics to provide laser protective systems for its customers.
Engines
Honeywell Debuts New Power Options and Connectivity Tools
Honeywell arrives at the Dubai Airshow with a new compact APU, new satcom service, and “flexible and affordable” connectivity solutions.
Aircraft
FlightSafety Intros FlightSmart AI Training Tool
FlightSafety’s FlightSmart, developed with IBM, identifies individual pilot deficiencies and creates customized corrective training.
Aircraft
Oxford Saudia Teams with Symbiotics to Pick Pilot Trainees
Saudi training academy Oxford Saudia is using Symbiotics’ Adapt assessments to screen prospects for its ab initio pilot training program.
Aircraft
VistaJet Set To Go Global 7500
VistaJet will receive its first Bombardier Global 7500 in January and foresees strong growth in the Middle East for its charter service.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Lufthansa Technik Shows MRO and VIP Capabilities
Lufthansa Technik is highlighting its MRO facility in Dubai South and displaying a VIP cabin concept for the Airbus A220.
Aircraft
Savion Plans Two-Place, Remotely Piloted Jet
Proposed Savion jet will use LNG power, be flown “Just like an Air Force drone,” and can enter service in about four years, start-up company said.
Aircraft
Piaggio Aerospace Touts Turnaroud
With $930 million in orders, Italy’s bankrupt Avanti Evo manufacturer plans tender offer for sale of the company, now under government control.
Avionics
Gogo Taps Three Partners for 5G Network Build
Onboard connectivity provider Gogo teams with Cisco, Airspan, and First RF to develop technology for its 5G ATG network, set to bow in 2021.
Aircraft
Jet-Care, Traxxall Merge Mx and Engine Trend Tracking
Agreement announced at NBAA 2019 brings Jet-Care’s engine trend monitoring to Traxall’s Mx tracking dashboard.
Aircraft
ACJ, Sabena Team on VIP Aircraft Self-defense
ACJ and Sabena signed at NBAA 2019 an agreement to offer infra-red countermeasure (DIRCM) self-protection systems for VIP airliners.
Aircraft
Boeing Inks Two BBJ 787-9 Orders From One Customer
Contract for two Dreamliners, signed in August, brings order book for the VIP variant of the all-composite wide-body to 16.
Magic Johnson Powers NBAA 2019 Opening
Basketball superstar, businessman, and aircraft owner Johnson scores big for NBAA in keynote convention tipoff
Aircraft
FAA Oks Viasat’s Ka-band System for Gulfstream G280
Viasat solution brings high speed Ka-band to super midsize jets, with speeds up to 16 MBps on entry level service plan.
Charter & Fractional
Jetcraft Helms First Preowned G500 Deal
Sale of new-to-service model signals change in aftermarket dynamics, according to the North Carolina-based global brokerage.
Aircraft
Wheels Up Touts Plans for Growth
Wheels Up to expand beyond membership programs to bring more consumers to business aviation.
Aircraft
Comlux Completion Names New CTO, Chief Engineer
Comlux Completion hires Fernando Mas, from Airbus, and Adam Weiss from BBJ completion specialist Greenpoint Technologies.
Aircraft
Medevac Interior Introduced for HondaJet
The manufacturer of the HondaJet Elite readies a seventh U.S. service center, along with rollout of second flight simulator, to be located in the UK.
Aircraft
Scheme Designers Intros Concierge Service
Livery specialist Scheme Designers' new offering “fast tracks” paint designs and provides enhanced rendering services.
Aircraft
ACJ and ACH Team to Showcase VIP Lift
Airbus VIP airliner and helicopter divisions display bespoke cabin offerings and launch new website for ACJ charter customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
Sherwin-Williams Intros 'Upscale' Interior Coating
Sherman-Williams Jet Suede offers finish so textured, it can take the place of worn leather armrests.
Aircraft
Vref Unveils Updated Valuation Platform
System leverages digital tools and 25 years of transaction data to accelerate and refine online preowned aircraft value calculations .
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Connectivity Accelerates Skyward
Exhibitors showcase latest high-seed hardware and services as they begin to use network data to improve flight ops, safety.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Latitude Aero’s VIP Seat Refurbs Bow
Commercial seat overhauler Latitude Aero enters the business aviation aftermarket in its NBAA-BACE debut.
Aircraft
Max Grounding Pounds Completion Centers
Industry 'in shock,' and 'market affected,' say top execs.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
World of Interior Options, Fantasies on Display
Completion and refurbishment specialists showcase stunning designs and cabin innovations
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Dassault Showcases Full-scale Falcon 6X Cabin
Touted as “the first extra-widebody,” in-development twinjet features largest cross section of any purpose built business aircraft.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
LHT Issues Voice Commands for Cabin Systems
German exec-liner specialist demonstrates nicechat, a prototype voice recognition app for passenger control of onboard equipment.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
F/List Onboard for First BBJ Max Cabin
The aircraft must be returned to service so F/List can complete the work.
