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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...

Cessna further increases the range on the Citation Latitude business jet​

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today at the Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition that it has increased the range capability of its planned new midsize jet, the Citation Latitude, once again. The Latitude was originally announced to have an expected range of 2,000 nautical miles, but through customer input and quality design and engineering, the Latitude is now expected to have a maximum range of 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 kilometers)...

Embraer starts fabrication process of the Legacy 450 business jet​

Embraer Executive Jets passed a major milestone in the mid-light Legacy 450 program last week when the first part was milled for the business jet, ushering in the beginning of fabrication. “Even as we have been making progress on the Legacy 500, we have been anticipating this event for the Legacy 450,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets...

Gulfstream's new G280 almost ready for certification​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s super-midsized G280 aircraft is closing in on entry-into-service (EIS). As of July 31, the three aircraft used during the flight-test program have flown more than 2,000 hours over more than 740 flights. The fatigue test article has completed more than 17,000 of 40,000 cycles.

The G280 received provisional type certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on March 1, 2012, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel on Dec. 29, 2011. The aircraft is slated to enter service later this year after the final type certification requirements have been achieved...

Hawker Beechcraft Installs First Hawker 400XPR Avionics Upgrade​

Hawker Beechcraft today announced that the first customer aircraft in the Hawker 400XPR upgrade program is undergoing the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system upgrade at its Hawker Beechcraft Service facility in Atlanta. The avionics upgrade is the first component of the 400XPR Program to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.

Hawker 400XPR- “The first customer aircraft to receive the avionics upgrade is an important step in the 400XPR program,” said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft senior vice president, Global Customer Support...

Gulfstream To Showcase Three Aircraft At Latin American Airshow​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. will display three of its business jets at the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE), held Aug. 15-17 in São Paulo, Brazil. The show will feature the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150, the large-cabin, long-range G450 and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550. The aircraft will be available for viewing in the VASP Hangar of the Congonhas Airport, located at Av. Washington Luis, 6000 – Gate 3. In addition to the aircraft on static display, Gulfstream will have a reception area to host customers...

The Gulfstream G650 model nears FAA Certification​

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilots have completed all the scheduled flying required for the certification program for Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650. In addition, the European Aviation Safety Agency test team finished the flight testing required for its validation of the FAA’s type certification.

The G650 received a provisional type certificate from the FAA on Nov. 18, 2011, and is in the process of completing the final certification tests with the FAA to support entry-into-service later this year...

Daher-Socata introduces the TBM 850 Elite​

At a News Conference held at the SUN ’n FUN annual International Fly–In & Expo, DAHER-SOCATA announced the market introduction of its TBM 850 Elite, the 2012 Model Year version of its very fast turboprop aircraft – which offers a host of new features aimed at improving comfort and flexibility. The TBM 850 Elite’s most distinctive attribute is the capability of its middle seats to be positioned in either the rearward or forward-facing position. This new configuration provides extended cargo space to accommodate outsized baggage...

ICON Aircraft and Cirrus Aircraft to Partner on the Production of the ICON A5 Amphibious Sport Plane​

ICON Aircraft and Cirrus Aircraft today announced that Cirrus will become one of the key strategic supplier partners for the ICON A5 amphibious Light Sport Aircraft. The companies have agreed that Cirrus Aircraft, the manufacturer of the leading SR20 and SR22 lines of high-performance single-engine aircraft, will produce a significant portion of the composite airframe components for ICON Aircraft.

“Cirrus has a global reputation for producing truly outstanding composite aircraft structures,” said Kirk Hawkins, founder and CEO of ICON Aircraft...

Hawker Beechcraft expected to display six aircraft at LABACE 2012 ​

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced it will display six of its market-leading aircraft – ranging from the piston twin-engine Beechcraft Baron G58 to the Hawker 4000 super midsize business jet – at the ninth annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE), Aug. 15-17, at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, Brazil. In cooperation with its regional distributor, Líder Aviação, the company’s display will feature the Hawker 4000, Hawker 900XP, Multi-Mission Beechcraft King Air 350ER demonstrator, King Air 250, King Air C90GTx and a Baron G58...

Embraer Debuts the Lineage 1000 jet at the LABACE​

Brazilian business jet manufacturer Embraer is set to officially debut the Lineage 1000 business jet at this year’s LABACE, Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition. The show gets underway later this month, August 15-17 at the Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo. This year, the LABACE is in its ninth year and is expected to be exiting for visitors looking at Embraer products. Not only with the Lineage 1000 be on display but also the entry-level Phenom 100, light Phenom 300 and the large Legacy 650...

Flexjet and Bombardier Launch Nationwide Learjet 85 Aircraft Mock-Up Tour​

Bombardier’s exclusive fractional launch customer, Flexjet, showcases new aircraft model at 11 private events in a coast-to-coast U.S. tour Guests to interact with an aircraft that is set to revolutionize the industry and enjoy experiences provided by select luxury partners Flexjet, the first fractional jet ownership company to offer shares on the all-new Learjet 85 aircraft, and business aircraft manufacturer Bombardier are launching an 11-city U.S. tour offering the opportunity to experience firsthand the aircraft that is poised to revolutionize the industry...

600th PlaneView cockpit delivered on Gulfstream jet​

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently delivered the 600th Gulfstream business jet aircraft equipped with the innovative PlaneView™ cockpit, achieving the milestone just nine years after the flight deck was first delivered. Additionally, the company has installed more than 250 synthetic vision systems and enhanced navigation systems. The deliveries solidify the manufacturer's technological leadership position in the business-aviation industry. Gulfstream was the first original equipment manufacturer to get Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of synthetic vision in 2008...