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Flexjet, LLC places orders for up to 245 Bombardier business aircraft ​

After 18 successful years as Bombardier’s fractional jet ownership division, Flexjet today announced a definitive agreement for its purchase by a group led by Directional Aviation Capital through a newly-formed entity, Flexjet, LLC. With support from its new investors, Flexjet is placing the largest private aviation order in its history valued at approximately $5.2 billion for up to 245 Bombardier business jets. The transaction for the sale of Flexjet is expected to close by the end of the year...

Comlux becomes first to take delivery of an Airbus ACJ321​

Comlux has taken delivery of the first Airbus ACJ321, the newest private jet from the world’s most modern aircraft family, which means that it will become the first to have operated every corporate Airbus A320 Family version. The Airbus ACJ321 is now being outfitted with VVIP cabin by Comlux America in Indianapolis, and is due to be completed in 2014. Like the Airbus ACJ318, ACJ319 and ACJ320, the ACJ321 will have the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet and, because of its stretched fuselage, it will also have the longest. Additional centre tanks will also give the ACJ321 extra range...

Bombardier CSeries Aircraft Awarded Transport Canada Flight Test Permit​

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the first CSeries aircraft – Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) – has successfully obtained Transport Canada’s Flight Test Permit, thereby clearing the way for its maiden flight, expected in the coming weeks. This follows a series of pre-flight tests including low-speed taxi runs. FTV1 will now proceed with high-speed taxi runs whereby the aircraft simulates speeds for flight take-off...

First China-Assembled Legacy 650 Successfully Completes Maiden Flight ​

Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd (HEAI), Embraer’s joint venture with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), announced that the first Legacy 650 large executive jet assembled in China successfully completed its maiden flight today. Delivery of the first Legacy 650 is scheduled for the end of 2013. Embraer’s test pilots flew the aircraft for about two hours and thirty minutes, assessing its handling and performance characteristics. The aircraft’s systems were evaluated, including flight control, communication, and navigation...

First Production Citation M2 Takes Flight​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, celebrated as the first production unit of its newest business jet, the Citation M2, took its maiden flight out of the company’s Independence, Kan., facility. The M2 was announced in September of 2011 with a design driven by customer and pilot feedback. It is the latest in a succession of new Cessna aircraft to make its initial production flight, and type certification is expected this fall. “The aircraft performed exceptionally well today,” said Cessna production flight test pilot Terry Martindale. “We departed Independence and proceeded to an altitude of 17,500 feet...

Falcon 2000S Makes First Appearance at 2013 LABACE​

Unveiled in May 2011, the Falcon 2000S was certified in the first quarter of 2013 and is the new entry level jet in the Falcon family. Equipped with a full slate of standard features, including upgraded EASy II avionics, FalconCabin HD+ entertainment system and a brand new fixed-configuration cabin designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the Falcon 2000S brings large cabin comfort to the super mid-size segment. “The Falcon 2000S is an ideal airplane for this market,” said Rosanvallon...

Cessna Completes First Citation Latitude Fuselage​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today at the Latin American Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo, Brazil that the company has completed the first fuselage for its forthcoming mid-size business jet, the Citation Latitude. The Latitude prototype is expected to take its first flight in early 2014, and a mock-up of the aircraft is on display at this week’s LABACE show. The aircraft is expected to have a range of 4,630 km (2,500 nm), permitting non-stop travel between São Paulo and Caracas, Venezuela, or from Santiago, Chile to Bogotá, Colombia...

Gulfstream's G280 makes debut at 2013 LABACE​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s new super mid-size aircraft, the G280, has arrived in São Paulo, Brazil, this week to be part of the 10th annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE). It’s the first time the aircraft will be part of the airshow’s static display. “The G280 is well-suited to the Latin American market, particularly Brazil,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Gulfstream. “From São Paulo, the G280 can reach all of South America without refueling and can easily reach the U.S. and Europe with one stop...

Citation Sovereign, Grand Caravan EX And TTX Make LABACE Debut​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is debuting three of its new aircraft to customers attending this week’s Latin America Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE) in São Paulo, Brazil. The Citation Sovereign, Cessna Grand Caravan EX and the Cessna TTx are on display at the company’s exhibit this week at Latin America’s largest aviation convention. The new nine-passenger Citation Sovereign has a range of 5,556 km (3,000 nm) and can fly non-stop from Rio de Janeiro to Panama City...

Gulfstream G650 Makes Its Latin American Airshow Debut​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s newest aircraft, the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650, made its Latin American debut today as part of the company’s static display at the 10th annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) in São Paulo, Brazil. This marks the first time a G650 has been at the Latin American airshow.

“We’re pleased to showcase the G650 at LABACE for the first time,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Gulfstream...

Gulfstream Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary Of G550 Certification​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today marked the 10th anniversary of the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 receiving its type and production certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration. It was the first time in Gulfstream history that an aircraft received both certifications on the same day. “The G550, like its predecessor the GV, has been a history-making aircraft,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Gulfstream. “It was the first aircraft in civil aviation to offer integrated modular avionics through its PlaneView™ flight deck to improve pilot situational awareness...

Embraer Executive Jets Introduces New Features for Phenom 100​

Embraer Executive Jets now offers new standard and optional features for its Phenom 100, revealed at the 10th annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE) today. The new features include multi-function spoilers, 11 new interior collections and new options including a refreshment center, stowage space and premium seats. “The new block-point changes are exciting and reflect how we listen and respond to customers,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Phenom 100 is already the fastest and roomiest in the entry-level class...

Bombardier Showcases Leading Business Jet Range at LABACE 2013​

Bombardier, the world’s leading business aircraft manufacturer, will showcase its leading business jet product portfolio at the 10th annual Latin American Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (LABACE) at Congonhas airport in São Paulo, Brazil from August 14-16, 2013. Bombardier will present a Learjet 45 XR, a Challenger 300, a Challenger 605 and a Global 6000 aircraft on static display. “We’re delighted to once again attend LABACE in full force with an impressive product line-up,” said Fabio Rebello, Regional Vice President, Sales, Latin America, Bombardier Business Aircraft...

Legacy 500 to Highlight Embraer Executive Jets’ Participation at LABACE 2013​

Embraer Executive Jets’ Legacy 500 will make its first public debut in Brazil during the 10th annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE), 14-16 August, at the Congonhas Airport (CGH), in São Paulo. The new game-changer business jet, which is scheduled to enter service in the first half of 2014, made its global debut last May in Geneva, Switzerland and will be displayed later this year at NBAA 2013 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas in October...

Flawless First Production Flight For Cessna Citation X​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is celebrating another program milestone for the world’s fastest civilian aircraft, the Citation X. The first production unit of the new Citation X took its maiden flight this week, marking another step closer to certification and delivery of the remarkable mid-size business jet. “The Citation X was flawless today,” said Gary Drummond, Cessna senior production test pilot and the flight’s Pilot in Command. “We took the X to an altitude of 49,000 feet on a flight pattern over western Kansas. The aircraft attained a top speed of Mach 0.935 (617 mph)...

Beechcraft Secures Largest General Aviation Propeller Aircraft Order in History, Valued at $1.4 Billion​

Beechcraft Corporation today announced it has secured an order for up to a total of 105 King Air 350i aircraft, valued at $788 million, from Wheels Up, representing the largest general aviation propeller driven aircraft order in history. Wheels Up is a membership-based private aviation program that eliminates fixed costs and provides unparalleled flexibility established by Kenny Dichter and the team that founded Marquis Jet, which redefined private air travel with the first 25-hour fractional jet card program...

Piper continues with increased delivery performance for first half of 2013
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Piper Aircraft continued to deliver more new aircraft and increase new airplane revenue during the first half of 2013, continuing a steady improved performance trend. For the first half of 2013, Piper delivered 86 airplanes, up 13 percent from 76 total deliveries during the same period in 2012, while generating $77M in revenue, up more than 11 percent from $69M during the first half of 2012. "Piper delivered three more M-Class aircraft during the first half of this year compared to this past year...

Cessna Offers Heat Reflecting Paint For Turbo StationAir​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today debuted its new Night Sky edition of the Turbo Stationair at the 2013 Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual week-long exhibition – AirVenture. This limited edition of the Cessna Turbo Stationair features a black and red paint scheme which includes a new surface coating capable of reflecting most infrared solar heat. The Night Sky edition Turbo Stationair also includes a specially-painted McCauley propeller to complement the unique paint scheme...

Gulfstream Vision-enhancing option certified by FAA​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced today that its Enhanced Vision System (EVS) II and Head-Up Display (HUD) II for the new G280 business jet have been certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The systems allow pilots to see terrain, runways, taxiways and possible obstructions in low-visibility conditions. The FAA certification means the enhanced flight vision system, which has been integrated with Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics and HUD II, provides operational credit. G280 aircraft equipped with the systems can land in weather conditions that would be prohibitive for non-equipped aircraft...

All-Inclusive Service Program For Cessna Citation Sovereign​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced a unique program covering all scheduled maintenance and parts costs for the Citation Sovereign for the first five years or 1,500 flight hours. The “Sovereign Shield” program practically eliminates maintenance-related direct operating costs of model year 2013 Citation Sovereign aircraft, allowing owners to operate the Citation Sovereign for far less than other business jets in the midsize category. “The Sovereign Shield program offers fantastic advantages for the Sovereign owner,” said Brad Thress, Cessna senior vice president, Business Jets...