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Dassault’s Falcon 2000S Beats Performance Targets ​

When certified in early 2013, the final performance specifications for the Falcon 2000S will be substantially better than initially projected. An 18 month test program that lasted 350 flight hours over 150 flights demonstrated better than expected low speed performance, in particular. Landing distance at typical landing weight has been reduced to 2,315 feet (705 m), from 2,600 feet (792 m); approach speed, to 107 knots; and balanced field length, to 4,325 feet (1,318 m).

“The performance of this aircraft is remarkable...

Diamond Jet tests fly-by-wire on DA42 ​

Diamond Aircraft, the manufacturers of the Diamond Jet DA42 twin-engined aircraft, have tested the sophisticated fly-by-wire system on that model. According to Diamond, The four-axis fly-by-wire system was flown on the twin-engine aircraft as part of a European Union funded research project called small aircraft future avionics architecture (SAFAR).

The high-end goal of Diamond Aircraft is to utilize the fly-by-wire technology in order to achieve maximum safety features on the DA42 model...

Dassault Falcon to Offer New GSM, Internet Options for Falcon 7X ​

Dassault Falcon is introducing an in-flight phone and connectivity option for its flagship Falcon 7X. The option, to be offered in cooperation with OnAir, will be available as a linefit on new Falcon 7X aircraft with deliveries beginning in 2014. Mobile OnAir operates like any standard international roaming service, and enables business jet passengers to send and receive emails, text messages and calls in flight using their own phones or smartphones. All charges are included in the user’s standard mobile phone bill, making the payment process simple and transparent...

HBC to Bring Market-Leading Beechcraft King Air Family to 2012 MEBA​

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced it will display its full line of commercial Beechcraft King Air turboprops at the 2012 Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) expo Dec. 11-13 at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport – Dubai World Central. HBC has the largest number of business turbine aircraft in the Middle East with more than 140 aircraft, including the King Air family which continues to lead the turboprop category with more than 70 percent of the market share in the region...

Embraer Executive Jets will participate in the fifth Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) exhibition (www.meba.aero), during December 11-13, at the new Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai World Central venue (UAE). The Company will promote its entire business aircraft portfolio, as well as its customer services and support solutions including updates on the Legacy 500 which made its maiden flight on November 27. The large Legacy 650, with the new enhanced interior, will make its Middle East debut on the heels of the delivery of the 200th Legacy aircraft...

Embraer completes first United States manufactured Phenom 300​

Embraer is celebrating the completion of the first United States manufactured Phenom 300. Not only is the aircraft completed but it has already had its first flight as well. This particular aircraft will not be going to a client but will serve as a demonstrator aircraft for Embraer.

The newly U.S-made Embraer Phenom 300 comes approximately one year after the first Phenom 100 made its first flight at the Melbourne, Florida facilities of Embraer...

Embraer Breaks Ground for Florida Research Center​

Embraer S.A. broke ground today on the new Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA, achieving the next milestone in the development of the 67,000-square-foot facility. The new building is expected to open in mid-2014 and will house the 200 employees the Center expects to have by the end of 2016. “The continuing development of Embraer in Florida reflects our growth as a global company and our commitment to the US market", said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO...

Embraer Executive Jets Offers Nose-to-Tail Maintenance Plan for the Phenoms​

Embraer Executive Jets has expanded its customer service and support solutions by launching the new Embraer Executive Care (EEC) Engine Add-On option, that will offer a nose-to-tail maintenance solution for Phenom jets, complementing the EEC and the Eagle ServiceTM Plan (ESP®) programs. The new EEC Engine Add-On option helps Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 operators to streamline and simplify invoice and payment processes, addressing one of the customers’ main concerns...

Embraer Delivers 200th Aircraft of the Legacy600-650 Family to China Minsheng Financial Leasing​

Embraer’s Legacy 600/650 program reached a significant milestone with the delivery of the 200th aircraft of the Legacy family, a Legacy 650 large executive jet, to China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (MSFL) in a ceremony held this week at headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This aircraft, one of the 13 Legacy 650s ordered by MSFL in October 2011, will be used by an anonymous Chinese customer. As one of the largest financial institutions providing executive jets leasing services in China, MSFL ordered three Lineage 1000 ultra-large Lineage 1000 executive jets as well...

Bombardier delivers the first NetJets 'Global' business jet​

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that it delivered NetJets®’ first Signature Series Global 6000 jet at a special ceremony in Montréal at Bombardier’s Global Completion Centre, the first jet is now on its way to entering service. “When we handed over the ceremonial keys to NetJets at NBAA just a few weeks ago it marked a momentous occasion that embodies the partnership we are building,” said Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Today NetJets has unquestionably become part of the Bombardier Business Aircraft family. We strive for excellence, and our customers don’t just expect it, they demand it...

Gulfstream Aerospace starts operations at Beijing Service Center​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced today that its aircraft service center in Beijing — Gulfstream Beijing — is officially open for business after recently being approved as a Part 145 maintenance facility by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The certification gives facility technicians the authorization to work on aircraft registered in China. Gulfstream Beijing is a joint venture (JV) between Gulfstream and two subsidiaries of Hainan Airlines Group, Hainan Aviation Technik (HNAT) and Deer Jet. Deer Jet, China’s largest business jet charter provider, has the largest Gulfstream fleet in China...

Gulfstream Aerospace launches flight operations department in Asia​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has established a satellite flight department in Hong Kong to support Gulfstream operators in Asia. The office is staffed by five pilots: three large-cabin demonstration pilots, one mid-cabin demonstration pilot and a chief pilot type-rated in both large- and mid-cabin aircraft. The pilots work closely with customers and their local aircraft management companies to facilitate the transfer of Gulfstream aircraft into the region. Additionally, they assist in the transit of aircraft to and from the United States, provide entry-into-service flying for customers and support regional air shows...

Embraer Legacy 500 makes "flawless" maiden flight​

A new generation of business jets was ushered in today when Embraer’s midsize Legacy 500 made a successful first flight, marking the beginning of its flight test program. Deliveries of the first aircraft are expected to begin in 2014. "This remarkable airplane symbolizes the future of executive aviation and is the product of the innovation, talent and dedication that is part of the Embraer culture," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO.

“This is the aircraft that will move us from industry player to industry leader,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets...

Dassault Falcon Receives ADS-B Out STC Approval from EASA ​

Dassault Falcon has received EASA approval for a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to install ADS-B Out (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out) on Falcon 50EX and classic Falcon 2000 aircraft equipped with Pro Line 4 avionics. With this STC, Falcon operators can take advantage of the safety and operational improvements of the new technology before the mandated compliance dates set by airworthiness authorities. This approval follows FAA approval which was received for both aircraft within the past year...

Piper Names Aircraft Dealer for China; Launches Meridian Tour​

Piper Aircraft named Piper Summit Aircraft China Ltd., Beijing, as the aircraft manufacturer’s authorized dealer in China for sales of new Meridian single-engine turboprop aircraft. The new Piper dealer conducted a number of Meridian demonstrations for potential customers as the airplane flew enroute for display at Air Show China 2012 held this month in Zhuhai. “With more than 1.3 billion people, stretching from eastern Asia to the South China Sea, China already has more than 450 airports and a rapidly expanding aviation infrastructure,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott...

VistaJet Thinks Global with $7.8 Billion Bombardier Business Aircraft Order​

Bombardier announced today the largest business aircraft sale in its history. VistaJet, a world-leading luxury aviation company and exclusive operator of Bombardier business aircraft, has signed a deal for up to 142 Global business jets which includes firm orders for 56 Global jets and options for a further 86 Global jets at a 2012 U.S. list price value of more than $7.8 billion if all options are exercised. The value of the firm order is approximately $3.1 billion at 2012 list prices. The firm order comprises 25 Global 5000, 25 Global 6000 and six Global 8000 jets. Deliveries of these aircraft will begin in 2014...

Cessna and CAIGA Sign Contract for Joint Venture to Assemble and Sell Utility Turboprops in China​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company (through Textron Far East Pte. Ltd.), has entered into a joint venture contract with China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company Ltd., (CAIGA) (through CAIGA North China Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd.), in accordance with their previously announced strategic agreement, for the formation of a joint venture company to conduct final assembly of Cessna Caravan utility turboprop aircraft in China for the Chinese market...

Fleet of 24 New Piper Archers Possible for Florida Institute of Technology​

The Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Aeronautics will take delivery of eight single-engine Piper Archer TX training airplanes during 2013 and also has options on 16 additional trainers (Archer TX or Seminole) for future delivery, bringing the total potential new aircraft under the agreement to a fleet of 24 aircraft. Neither party is releasing the value of the contract. The new Piper Archers will be among the first Piper training aircraft equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass panel avionics suite...

FAA Type Certification Meetings a Success​

This week’s event was a critical milestone to get the FAA engaged in the Vision SF50 certification program. Discussions about the current design configuration were used to identify unique aspects that will require FAA review. Further, all existing and prior project documents (e.g. Issue Papers, Equivalent Level of Safety findings and Special Conditions) were discussed and assessed for applicability with current regulation.

It was a very successful meeting and the results gave further evidence that Cirrus and the FAA both have a strong commitment toward improving product safety...

Piper Incorporates Garmin G1000 in Seminole and Archer Models ​

Piper Aircraft, Inc. is incorporating the Garmin G1000 avionics suite into new twin-engine Piper Seminole and single-engine Piper Archer aircraft models available in 2013. Launch customer for the new Garmin G1000-equipped Pipers is the Florida Institute of Technology.

Piper made the announcement at the company’s 75th anniversary celebration and fly-in earlier this month. Garmin’s G1000 is a seamlessly integrated all-glass avionics suite that makes flight information easier to scan and process. G1000's design brings new levels of situational awareness, simplicity and safety to the cockpit...