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Cessna and NetJets Sign Purchase Agreement for Up to 150 Citation Latitude Business Jets​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it signed a purchase agreement with NetJets® Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, for delivery of up to 150 Citation Latitude business jets, with initial deliveries beginning in 2016. “We are very excited to enhance our longstanding relationship with NetJets by producing the Citation Latitude for them and their customers,” said Cessna President and CEO Scott Ernest. “The Latitude is a game-changer, not only for the Cessna line of products, but for the industry...

Excel Sport-Jet II Aircraft Taking Shape​

With the fuselage almost complete and the wing components arriving within a few weeks, the Sport-Jet II is coming together as expected. The new aircraft will now have its wings and horizontal tail constructed out of aluminum providing a simpler build process for the kit builder. The wing is constructed using a CNC milled spar and hydro formed ribs giving the wing extremely tight tolerances from root to tip.

The composite tail section will be arriving within a few weeks as well and will keep the Sport-Jet II on track for completion this summer. Taxi tests and first flights will follow soon thereafter...

Diamond D-JET resumes Flight Test Program​

Diamond Aircraft has resumed flight testing of its D-JET prototypes, following their temporary grounding after a funding shortfall and significant employee furloughs in March, 2011. “Our team's spirits are certainly lifted with the resumption of flight activities” said Peter Maurer, President...

Embraer And Avic Announce Joint Venture To Build Executive Jets In China ​

During China´s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao’s visit to Brazil for the Rio+20 Conference, in a signing ceremony witnessed by leaders from both nations, Embraer S.A. (BOVESPA: EMBR3, NYSE: ERJ) and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) signed an agreement to build Embraer’s Legacy 600/650 executive jets in China, using the infrastructure, financial resources and workforce of their joint venture Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. (HEAI), which started operations in 2002...

Dassault’s New ‘Falcon 2000S’ reaches flight test milestone ​

Dassault's newest aircraft, the twin-engine Falcon 2000S, has completed its first year of flight testing. As of today, the test aircraft has accumulated nearly 300 flight hours in more than 100 flights. The rigorous test flight program has demonstrated and confirmed the expected performance of the Falcon 2000S. Outfitted with inboard slats and winglets that work together to reduce landing speeds, the 2000S also features a unique autobrake system which will allow it to access shorter and more challenging runways than any other aircraft in its category...

Dassault Falcon offers shower option on ‘Falcon 7X’ ​

The shower is now available as standard option for all 7X customers. It can be used both in flight and on the ground and offers up to 30 minutes showering time with a maximum temperature of 48°C (118°F), adding greatly to the comfort and efficiency of the long-distance business traveler. It features an integral rain showerhead and sleek, elegant accessories.

To accommodate the shower unit, the lavatory of the Falcon 7X was completely redesigned and enlarged. It features sleek curving lines and contemporary styling...

Boeing Unveils Newest Business Jet for Chinese Charter Market​

In 2011 Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets unveiled the latest BBJ to enter the Chinese charter market at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference in Las Vegas. The interior showcased a spacious cabin of contemporary design.

The new BBJ, owned and operated by Deer Jet of Beijing, is the second of four BBJs for the airline making it the largest BBJ charter operator in China. Deer Jet’s newest BBJ to join its charter fleet features 28-seats, a bedroom suite and full sized bathroom with a shower.

For more information:

The Boeing Company
Headquarters
100 N...

China's ICBC Leasing, HEAI Sign 10-aircraft Order For Legacy 650s ​

ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd (ICBC Leasing), signed a deal for 10 Legacy 650 large executive jets, including five firm orders and five options, with Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. (HEAI), Embraer’s joint-venture with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Deliveries are scheduled to begin at the end of 2013. The order makes ICBC Leasing the launch customer of HEAI’s Legacy 600/650 program and rounds out ICBC’s current 70-aircraft portfolio...

Fourth HondaJet achieves first flight, moving towards certification​

Honda Aircraft Company today announced that its fourth conforming HondaJet aircraft, referred to as "F3," successfully completed its first flight last week on May 4, 2012. This first flight milestone was a key highlight amongst many, in an overall program update the company reported in a briefing at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, underscoring the HondaJet's progress and momentum toward certification...

Cirrus launches all-new five-seater SR22 ​

Cirrus launched its brand new five-seater SR22 at the Disney Epcot Center in Florida to its dealers. What has everybody ‘flying’ is the fact that the new SR22 has an optional fifth seat onboard. They are making it clear that the new SR22 is not a new model but simply a new seating plan for the new aircraft.

With the option of a fifth seat there is also the option of carrying a fifth person on a split-bench seat. The back of the cabin will be good for a mixture of adults and children. Various personal items can be stored behind the split seat such as laptops, light gear like jackets or even a small cooler...

Bombardier unveils all-new ‘Learjet 70’ and ‘Learjet 75’ ​

New models have been unveiled by business jet manufacturer Bombardier in the form of the ‘Learjet 70’ and ‘Learjet 75’. They are trying to get these new planes certified by the FAA possibly by May 2013. Both the 70 and the 75 are the upgraded, improved and rethought versions to the Learjet 40 and 45.

Most aspects of the new jets will be clean-sheet and new spanning the interiors, engine powerplants, avionics package and winglets! The interiors will boast new materials and fabrics along with new interior lighting and entertainment systems. The powerplants will be Honeywell TFE-731s...

Cessna Improves Range on new ‘Citation Latitude’ ​

After apparent customer response and demand the new Citation ‘Latitude’ by Cessna added extra range capability. The new range will allow the mid-size business jet to better and more efficiently connect the dots between cities. This great news came just four months after Cessna announced and officially unveiled the ‘Latitude’.

The initial range was estimated to be 2,000 nautical miles but with the improved range the revised figure is expected to be 2,300 nautical miles. This is an impressive figure for the size aircraft and $15 million dollar price tag...

Bombardier ‘Challenger 850’ Business Jet​

Another model in Bombardier’s business jet range is the ‘Challenger 805’. The 805 provides a brisk cruising speed of above MACH 0.80 to shuttle you to your trans-continental destination. The Challenger 805 has a general range of about 2,811 nautical miles and a maximum range of 3,044 nautical miles. The airframe has been proven with well over six million hours of solid service.

Twin turbofans (GE CF34 3B1) will get you from the west coast to the east coast of the U.S with no problem. Flying high to a maximum ceiling of 41,000-feet, it’s not as high as many other business jets offer but it is comfortable enough...

Hawker Beechcraft delivers first Hawker 4000 to China ​

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) announced the delivery of the first Hawker 4000 business jet in China. Certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in November 2009, the Hawker 4000 is the flagship of the Hawker Beechcraft family. Beyond its innovative composite construction, the Hawker 4000 offers best-in-class performance, a maximum cruise speed of Mach .84 and unsurpassed comfort for up to eight passengers. China’s first Hawker 4000 is based at the Beijing Capital International Airport and is being utilized for both business and leisure travel by the HBC customer...

Eclipse Aerospace certified for production of new Eclipse 550 jet ​

During the first International Eclipse Dealer and Sales Conference held this past Friday in Albuquerque, Eclipse Aerospace, Inc., manufacturer of the world's first very light jet (VLJ), announced the official launch of initial production of the new Eclipse 550 twin–engine jet.

Now armed with an established supply chain, a new FAA production certificate, and a certified airframe, Eclipse is officially back in production with deliveries beginning in 2013...

Hawker Beechcraft takes off with 120-million dollars in new orders ​

The 2012 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) held in Geneva, Switzerland in mid May (May 14-16) proved to be a goldmine for Hawker Beechcraft with the company securing an estimated 120-million dollars in new orders for aircraft. The news could not have been any better for the Wichita manufacturer as it is still dealing with the negative shockwaves caused by its bankruptcy filing.

The manufacturer said that it secured orders for eleven aircraft including three units from its flagship model, the Hawker 4000 mid-size business jet...

Cessna ‘Citation Longitude mid-size business jet’ ​

Recently, Cessna unveiled a design for their brand new Citation dubbed the ‘Longitude’. The new business jet is in the mid-sized range and was unveiled by Cessna at the European Business Aviation Show. The Longitude draws from another luxury jet by Cessna, the Citation ‘Latitude’ that was launched last fall. However, the all-new Longitude will be is a larger aircraft with many improvements such as lightly swept wings and added small winglets. Additionally, the range of this new aircraft is expected to be 4,000 nautical miles and have an operating ceiling of 45,000-feet...

Bombardier ‘Learjet 85’ business jet​

Bombardier's Learjet brand is a familiar name to most. In fact, Learjet has been around since October 1963, when the original Learjet 23 took to the skies. Now, the brand is poised to introduce the Learjet 85, which is currently in development.

The Learjet 85 will be utilizing many of the advances in business jet technology. Inclusive is the extensive use of composite materials in the aircraft’s construction. In fact, she is the first Learjet to be fully built in composite materials. Several advantages are apparent with the use of composites such as the ability to have thinner cabin walls that translates into a larger interior cabin...

Jackie Chan takes delivery of Embraer Legacy 650 business-jet ​

Jackie Chan, Embraer’s Brand Ambassador, will assist the Company in promoting its entire line of executive aircraft, not only in the rapidly growing greater China market, but globally. “This delivery is a moment of historical importance to Embraer because it solidifies an already long and successful relationship between China and Embraer,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets...

Gulfstream's 'G280' makes blistering transit between Paris and NYC​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s super mid-sized Gulfstream G280 recently set an unconfirmed city-pair speed record from Paris to White Plains, N.Y., making the flight in 7 hours, 40 minutes. Official recognition of this city-pair speed record by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is pending.

The G280, which is nearing certification and entry-into-service later this year, took off from Paris Le Bourget Airport on May 17 and flew nonstop to Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., at an average speed of Mach 0.80 against an average 32-knot headwind...