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Global 6000 Jet World Tour Continues in Africa​

Bombardier’s Global 6000 jet, featuring the Bombardier Vision flight deck, is set to make its African debut when it kicks off that continent’s portion of its world tour in September, with a 16-city showcase across a total of 12 countries. It is also set to appear on the static display at South Africa’s Africa Aerospace and Defence on September 19, 2012.

“A particular highlight of this tour is our four day stop in Nigeria where we are seeing a growing interest in private jet travel,” explained Khader Mattar, Regional Vice President, Sales, Middle East, Africa and India, Bombardier Business Aircraft...

First Learjet 75 Production Aircraft Lights Up with Power On​

Bombardier Aerospace’s Learjet 75 jet continues to achieve its development milestones with the first powering up of the aircraft’s electrical systems on the Wichita production line. Aircraft power, including to the new Bombardier Vision flight deck, was switched on during the week of August 21, 2012, as the aircraft progresses towards its 2013 entry-into-service. “This is a fantastic achievement that highlights the tremendous efforts of every single person involved with this project,” said Ralph Acs, Vice President and General Manager, Learjet, Bombardier Business Aircraft...

The Phenom 100 jet by Embraer gets certification in China​

Embraer makes further strides in the Chinese market with the certification of it's entry-level Phenom 100 business jet. The Civil Aviation Administration of China also known as the C.A.A.C recently awarded the Brazilian airframer with a type certification for its small Phenom 100 executive jet to operate that business jet in the country.

According to the President of Embraer China, Guan Dongyuan, "CAAC's certificate for the Phenom 100 is great news for Embraer and prospective customers...

Israel grants full certification for Gulfstream's G280​

The last time JF wrote on the Gulfstream G280, the aircraft was poised for FAA certification in the U.S. Now the Civil Aviation Authority in Israel has granted full certification for the all new 24-million dollar business jet. As you may know, the G280 is the replacement to the G200. Gulfstream announced they would be renaming/rebranding that G200 model. Of course the G280 is a completely re-thought aircraft with many upgrades over the older model. The G280 has an all-new, advanced transonic wing design that has been optimized for high-speed cruise and improved takeoffs...

Trio of Bombardier business jets on static display at AIREX2012​

Bombardier Aerospace, the world’s third largest civil aircraft manufacturer, will present three of its business jets at the ninth annual International Civil Aviation and Airports Exhibition, AIREX 2012, in Istanbul, Turkey, from September 6–9, 2012. The company will also showcase its innovative commercial aircraft products at its booth in Exhibit Hall 1. Highlights for the static display will be the Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 605 and Global 6000 jets. The industry leading Bombardier Vision flight deck will be on full display aboard the Global 6000 aircraft...

Airbus Corporate Jet expected to make South Africa debut ​

A major milestone for Airbus Corporate Jet will be made later on in September when they expect to display aircraft from their ACJ line. The aircraft will be showcased at the Africa Aerospace & Defence show in South Africa. The AADS will start on September 19, 2012.

Airbus Corporate Jet was last in Brazil this month for the LABACE show. This will be the first time that ACJ displays in sub-Saharan Africa. Overall, the only other place on the continent ACJ displayed at in the past was in Egypt. This African tour will ensure that ACJ graces most of the continents of the world this year...

Boeing Celebrates Delivery of First Aeroloft™ Installed on a BBJ 747-8​

Boeing celebrates the delivery of a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 747-800 with the first Aeroloft™ interior installed. The Aeroloft™ provides luxurious cabin accommodation for guests and is designed by Greenpoint Technologies. With the Aeroloft™ installed, it provides 393 square feet of additional space making a total of 5,179 square feet.

Boeing and Greenpoint Technologies have worked together in the past for more than ten years developing VIP interior solutions for private and Head-of-State customers. According to BBJ President, Capt...

Daher Socata's TBM 850 cabin gets certified​

During a news briefing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, DAHER-SOCATA announced certification of the new seating and cabin configuration on its latest fast turboprop aircraft version, the TBM 850 Elite. The Model Year 2012 TBM 850 Elite offers a unique capability in tailoring the passenger cabin to meet operators’ needs. Its middle seats can be oriented in a forward-facing position, while the rear seats are removable. In approximately 30 minutes, the TBM 850 can be reconfigured in a four-seat cabin, increasing the luggage volume capacity by three and doubling the maximum luggage weight...

Embraer's Legacy 650 business jet attains HALTO certification​

Brazil's business-jet airframe company Embraer recently attained HALTO certification for its Legacy 650 business jet. Not familiar with HALTO, it simply means High Altitude Takeoff Operations. It allows the jet to operate at airports that are up to 13,800 ft above sea level. Such airports are located in high altitude terrain in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, China, the U.S, Nepal, India and so on, according to Embraer.

With the new certification under its wings from the Brazil Civil Aviation Authority, the Legacy 650 will be able to operate in La Paz, Bolivia and Sangri-La in China...

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW610 Engine Selected to Power New Eclipse 550 Aircraft​

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) PW610F engine has been selected by Eclipse Aerospace to power the next-generation Eclipse 550 twin-engine business jet. The PW610F has proven itself on the 261 Eclipse 500 aircraft currently in service with exceptional performance, efficiency and reliability. Pratt & Whitney Canada is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX).

“This agreement expands our relationship with Eclipse Aerospace as we work together to bring this next generation very light business jet to market,” said David Van der Wee, Vice President, Business and General Aviation, P&WC...

Embraer-CAE Training Services launches Phenom training in Brazil​

On the eve of the Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE), Embraer-CAE Training Services (ECTS), a joint venture between Embraer and CAE, inaugurated Phenom aircraft pilot and maintenance technician training in Brazil at CAE’s training facility near Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in São Paulo. Courses will begin at the end of August. This is the third ECTS training location, including Dallas, Texas in the United States, and Burgess Hill, near London, in the United Kingdom, and the fourth Phenom full-flight simulator (FFS)...

Bombardier CSeries Aircraft Takes Virtual Flight​

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the company is now conducting virtual flights with “Aircraft 0”* – the on-the-ground Integrated Systems Test and Certification Rig (ISTCR) for the CSeries aircraft. The avionics, electrical, flight control, fly-by-wire, hydraulic, landing gear and wiring systems are now all commissioned, and systems integration and communication have been successfully demonstrated. The development of the CSeries aircraft will now enter the intense ground testing phase that will build the necessary maturity for all systems and drive towards the flight test program...

Hawker Beechcraft Delivers First Completed T-6C+ Trainers to Mexico​

Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) announced the first four of six Beechcraft T-6C+ military trainers ordered by the Mexican Air Force (FAM) were delivered in a ceremony this week at Santa Lucia Air Force Base in Reyes Acozac, Mexico. The remaining two aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in time for Mexico’s Independence Day celebration on Sept. 16. FAM’s order is the first for the new T-6C+, an enhanced version of the T-6 military trainer aircraft. It is capable of carrying external stores and delivering practice weapons for training purposes, and will replace the FAM’s aging PC-7 fleet...

Cassidian Aviation Has Chosen Fleet of SR20s and SR22s for Training France’s Air Force Pilots ​

Cirrus Aircraft announced today that Cirrus SR20s and SR22s have been selected by Cassidian Aviation Training Services (CATS) in a public tender for the French Air Force and Navy. A fleet of 13 Cirrus SR20s will be dedicated for training pilots at the French air force base of Salon de Provence. An additional fleet of seven Cirrus SR22s will be dedicated to training flights of navigating officers arm systems (NOSA) and liaison flights, in particular to accompany the French Air Force’s aerobatic team...

Official Launch Of The New Piaggio Aero MPA Aircraft​

Piaggio Aero today announced the signature of a contract with ADASI - Abu Dhabi Autonomous System Investments - a subsidiary of Tawazun - for the development of a new special missions surveillance aircraft, the Piaggio Aero MPA - Multirole Patrol Aircraft. The comprehensive contract covers the complete development of the MPA aircraft, including the roll out of two prototypes with first flight scheduled for 2014.

The Defense and Security company Saab has been selected as the MPA systems supplier after an extensive international evaluation process...

Piper’s Deliveries, Revenue Continued to Rise in First Half 2012​

Piper Aircraft continued to increase new aircraft deliveries and grow revenues during the first half of 2012, sustaining a solid upward performance trajectory for the past two and a half years. During the second quarter of 2012, ended June 30, Piper delivered 39 new aircraft contributing $37,423,010 in revenue. That was up 18 percent from 33 aircraft in the same period in 2011, with revenue up more than 20 percent to $31,141,182...

Embraer Executive Jets Wins Acclaim for Product Support​

Two major surveys put Embraer Executive Jets in the top three companies in the business aviation industry for product support for the first time. Indeed, both Aviation International News (AIN) and Professional Pilot magazines noted the rapid rise of the company in positive responses from customers who recognize Embraer’s work in providing excellent customer support and services.

“These results are a major achievement and reflect the hard work and dedication Embraer Executive Jets has put into customer support and services,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets...

Airbus showcase ACJ318 at the 2012 LABACE​

Airbus’ ACJ318 was the highlight of LABACE* in Sao Paulo, showcasing a wider and taller cabin than any other business jet, in what is the largest market for them in Latin America. The Airbus ACJ318 on display is offered for VVIP charter by Globaljet of Switzerland, and fits into the same ramp space as other large business jets. It carries up to 19 passengers, features a private office that converts to a bedroom, and has club seating in several spacious lounge areas...

Gulfstream Voted No. 1 In Worldwide Service, Support​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. was recently honored by two leading aviation trade publications for having the best product support organization in business aviation. For the 10th consecutive year, Gulfstream was voted number one in Aviation International News’ (AIN) annual product support survey. Gulfstream also received the top ranking from Professional Pilot for the 12th time in the last 15 years. “These results are a tremendous achievement for the 3,500 employees in our organization,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support...

Embraer Breaks Ground for New Executive Jet Service Center in Brazil ​

Four months after announcing its new executive jet service center in Brazil, Embraer broke ground at Bertram Luiz Leupolz (SOD) airport in Sorocaba, fulfilling its promise to bring convenient services to its customers. The 216,000-square-foot site will include hangars, VIP lounges, meeting rooms and crew living quarters, as well as administrative offices. This facility will offer a broad range of maintenance, repair and overhaul and fixed-base operator services, affording customers maximum operational flexibility. The opening is expected in the second half of 2013...