Bombardier reported Thursday that its third-quarter revenues came in at $1.9 billion, representing a 28 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The business jet manufacturer attributed the gains to higher deliveries and continued momentum in aftermarket business.

Crediting benefits from the expansion of its service center footprint in 2022, Bombardier noted that its aftermarket business saw an 11 percent year-over-year growth in Q3. The segment accounted for $414 million in revenues for the quarter. The company plans to focus on increasing its share of the aftermarket business going forward.

• READ MORE: Bombardier Delivers More Aircraft, Reports Growing Backlog in Second Quarter

“Bombardier’s third-quarter results are nothing short of impressive, whether you look at margins, cash generation, overall revenues, order activity, and more,” said Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel. “When we reshaped Bombardier, we set out to build a resilient business that performs in any marketplace. Today, our results demonstrate we are there.”

Overall, Montreal-headquartered Bombardier shipped 31 aircraft in Q3 2023 compared to 25 aircraft delivered in Q3 2022. The company has logged a total of 82 aircraft deliveries so far this year, including the recent handoff of its 150th Global 7500 business jet. Bombardier reported a backlog of $14.7 billion at the end of the third quarter.

Martel also pointed out that Bombardier is on track to meet its 2023 delivery targets and well positioned to increase output in the future.

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Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. said it has completed its manufacturing facility for the Gulfstream G400, Gulfstream G500, and Gulfstream G600 business jets. The expansion project at the company’s operations in Savannah, Georgia (KSAV), increases the facility capacity by 142,000 square feet.

“Gulfstream continues to invest across all our facilities, including in Savannah, our headquarters for more than 50 years,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream. “We designed the G400, G500, and G600 to have a number of commonalities that increase both operational and manufacturing efficiencies. Those commonalities mean that we have the flexibility to easily expand production lines to meet the growing demand for these aircraft, which also increases job growth across the region.”

The production methods used for the G400, G500, and G600, which were designed with Gulfstream’s Savannah-based research and development team, include advanced automation, 3D-model designs, and special robotic and bonding techniques.

“The technological advancements in our state-of-art manufacturing facilities help us deliver the highest quality product in the industry, built by the industry’s most talented workforce,” said Burns.

The increase in manufacturing capacity is part of Gulfstream’s strategic plan, which includes expanding wing and empennage production and the customer support service center in Savannah. Gulfstream said the expansion represents a $150 million investment expected to add 1,600 jobs to the region.

• READ MORE: Gulfstream Expands its Facilities Footprint

Gulfstream said it also has increased aircraft outfitting operations at Appleton International Airport (KATW) in Wisconsin and at St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) in Illinois. The company also continues to expand customer support operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) area and Mesa, Arizona (KFFZ).

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Embraer announced Thursday that it delivered 43 jets during the third quarter, bringing the total aircraft shipped by the company in 2023 to 105. The number represents a 33 percent increase in year-to-date deliveries over last year.

Overall, Embraer reported a 30 percent rise in Q3 deliveries compared to the same time period in 2022, marking the second consecutive quarter in which it recorded double-digit delivery growth. Third-quarter shipments in its commercial aviation segment grew from 10 aircraft last year to 15 in 2023. On the executive side, Embraer delivered a total of 19 light and nine medium jets, representing a combined 22 percent increase over Q3 2022.

Embraer closed Q3 with a firm order backlog of $17.8 billion, growing $500 million since the end of Q2. The company has sold 42 commercial aircraft so far this year, with orders from airlines including SkyWest, Luxair, Air Peace, Binter, and American Airlines. The sales bring the backlog for the company’s commercial unit to $8.6 billion.

• READ MORE: Embraer Reveals the Phenom 100EX Ahead of NBAA

On the executive side, Embraer has an order backlog of $4.3 billion, reporting “sustained demand across its entire product portfolio and strong customer acceptance in both retail and fleet markets.” Among recent developments in the segment, the company cited the introduction of the Phenom 100EX, the addition of autothrottle for the Phenom 300E, and the Phenom 300 series fleet passing the 2 million-flight-hour milestone.

• READ MORE: Czech Republic Sets Eyes on Embraer C-390 for Military Transport

Embraer noted that the backlog for its Services & Support unit reached “the highest backlog volume ever recorded,” coming in at $2.8 billion at the end of Q3. For its Defense & Security arm, the company reported milestones including the first KC-390 to enter into service outside of Brazil and the selection of the C-390 Millennium as the new tactical military transport aircraft for Austria and the Czech Republic.

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The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) says it sees a significantly larger market over the next six months for business aviation aircraft.

The association stated in its recently released third-quarter 2023 market report that many of its members did not experience the typical sales slowdown over the summer, with some noting strong transactions and activity. Overall, according to IADA, its members are anticipating a strong fourth quarter.

“The good news is that inventories are expanding, price inflation has slowed if not slightly slipped, and supply chain quirks and bottlenecks are being ironed out industrywide,” said IADA executive director Wayne Starling. “Additionally, MROs and FBOs are expanding to meet the needs of aging fleets. Those factors, coupled with massive new options from fleet buyers, could be signals that supply and demand are rebalancing for a larger post-pandemic marketplace.”

• READ MORE: IADA Reports Shift in Business Aircraft Market in Buyers’ Favor

According to IADA, the six-month outlook for the preowned business aircraft market has slipped in the face of “higher interest rates, somewhat softer pricing, and lingering concerns about the potential for an economic recession in the U.S.” The Q3 report found that there were 309 used aircraft deals closed in the quarter with 257 aircraft sales under contract. Of those, IADA reported that 66 were sold below asking price.

For year-to-date numbers, IADA dealers closed 853 transactions through September. In 2022, 929 transactions were completed over the same time period. As for new acquisition agreements, 410 were signed through Q3 compared to 519 through the third quarter of 2022. So far this year, 191 aircraft have been sold below asking price compared to more than 59 in the first nine months last year.

“Generally, pricing is expected to reflect slight decreases, and supply for sale is predicted to be slightly increased across all categories,” IADA said. “Demand projections are expected to be stable for turboprops and light jets, with stable to slightly decreased demand for mid- and larger-size jets.”

IADA gathers data for its quarterly reports via a survey sent to more than 1,000 members, including association-accredited dealers and their certified brokers, OEMs, and IADA products and services members. IADA reports that its dealers handle an estimated 50 percent of used business aircraft sales and average more than 1,300 transactions and $11.8 billion in volume annually.

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Rolls-Royce said it successfully completed a series of tests of its Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X business aviation engines using 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.

The Pearl 15, which is the first member of the Pearl engine family, powers the  Bombardier Global 5500 and 6500 aircraft. The Pearl 10X will be used on the Dassault Falcon 10X, the company’s ultralong-range flagship.

• READ MORE: Rolls-Royce Marks Successful Engine Test Run on Hydrogen

Rolls-Royce said the tests, which took place at the company’s business aviation headquarters in Dahlewitz, Germany, reflect its plans to “play a leading role in the journey to achieve net-zero flight by 2050.”

In addition to proving SAF’s compatibility, the tests included back-to-back test runs of a Pearl 10X engine using jet-A-1 and SAF to demonstrate environmental improvements resulting from the change to SAF.

Rolls-Royce said the hydro-processed esters and fatty acids, or HEFA, SAF used in the tests was derived from sustainable, waste-based feedstocks including cooking oils and fat waste. The fuel has the potential to cut net carbon dioxide life cycle emissions by about 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel.

• READ MORE: Rolls-Royce Tests UltraFan, Its first New Engine Architecture in 54 Years

The back-to-back tests also showed that SAF burns more cleanly than fossil-based fuel while emitting lower levels of non-volatile particulate matter, or nvPM. The test results will help move SAF closer to certification, the company said.

“Sustainable aviation fuels are a key element of our sustainability strategy, as they will play an important role in decarbonizing long-haul flight,” said Dr. Dirk Geisinger, Rolls-Royce’s director of business aviation. “With its outstanding environmental performance, the Pearl family is already setting new standards in the ultralong-range corporate jet market.”

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Rolland Vincent, creator of the Jetnet iQ forecast, predicts business jet manufacturers will deliver nearly 8,700 airplanes worth $268 billion from 2023 to 2032. Light jets will account for more than 1 in 5 of those produced, the largest slice of the market by numbers. 

Ultralong-range, large-cabin aircraft run a close second in delivery quantities, but score more than 60 percent of the sales revenue. The five largest purpose-built business jet manufacturers now have 18 to 24 month backlogs, says Vincent. Gulfstream, Bombardier, and Dassault have $40 billion in total orders, 80 percent of the first half of 2023 market. 

Textron Aviation comes in fourth with a $6.8-billion backlog. Embraer trails in fifth place, but Vincent notes his data does not include NetJet’s order for up to 250 3,200 nm range Praetor 500 jets worth more than $5 billion. NetJets says that the Embraer Phenom 300 is its top requested light jet, helping to bolster Embraer’s order backlog. 

Vincent says that iQ produces “independent, quarterly” research. Four to five hundred owner-operators are contacted four times per year to ask about operations, mood, and purchase intentions. Currently, 55.9 percent of those surveyed believe the market has passed its low point, clearly reflected in the “white hot” demand for business aircraft in 2021 and 2022. 

A soft market correction is in progress. Used aircraft retail transactions have declined to about 2,500, and there are nearly 1,500 pre-owned aircraft on the market in 2023. Aircraft inventories are beginning to correct to historically normal 6.6 percent of the fleet for sale on the used market. But pricing remains strong, notes Paul Carderelli, Jetnet iQ’s sales vice president. 

Vincent believes that taxes, regulation, risk, and border violence in Ukraine, Israel, and possibly Taiwan could be major factors in the future health of the business aviation industry. Operators gradually are becoming more optimistic, and the outlook for 2023 and 2024 is positive. He’s ruled out the risk of a major recession in the U.S. because of strong employment numbers and other indicators, but says that Europe, owing mainly to the economic downturn in Germany, is in a slight recession. 

Business aviation’s main challenges are to create a “sustainable future,” reconstruct “talent pipelines,” improve the “industry’s image,” and adapt to requirements of younger buyers who like the mobility provided by business aircraft but don’t necessarily want to own and operate them. 

A large majority of Jetnet iQ respondents believe that the benefits of business aviation are not well understood by the general public and new entrants into the market will have different requirements and priorities than those over 45 years of age.

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Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) has added a new program designed to reduce costs and accelerate deliveries of VIP jets. Introduced at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, BBJ Select provides an array of pre-designed modular cabin layout and configuration choices for customers. Previously, the company offered only completely custom-made interiors.

The modular layouts can be combined for a total of 144 unique cabin configurations, seating between 13 and 25 passengers depending on the design. Three color schemes are available on Select jets. While the company outfits a number of Boeing models for VIP use, BBJ Select is available solely for the 737-7.

• READ MORE: Boeing Sees Strong Demand for Bizliners

“Boeing Business Jets is offering customers a new, streamlined approach to designing a unique, comfortable, and functional interior for our BBJ 737-7 jet,” said BBJ president Joe Benson. “For customers who may not have the time or desire to create a fully bespoke interior, BBJ Select offers pre-designed options to outfit their cabin, which allows us to offer the jet at a very attractive, fixed price.”

According to BBJ, the Select program saves time and money by removing costs for “one-time engineering and related work for the installation of a clean sheet cabin design.”

The company has partnered exclusively with completion centers Aloft AeroArchitects and Greenpoint Technologies for the program, with Boeing overseeing the design, build, and delivery of the aircraft. The setup allows customers to sign a single contract with Boeing rather than multiple ones for the aircraft and completion work.

While no firm orders have been announced, BBJ reports that the first Select jets could be ready to enter service in 2026.

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In a preview event in September, Textron Aviation unveiled its latest addition to the Gen2 series, the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2. The new light jet builds on the popular CJ platform with an update to Garmin G3000, autothrottle, and multiple enhancements to the flight deck and cabin interior.

The CJ3 Gen2 mock-up will be featured on the static display at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Conference & Expo this week in Las Vegas.

The CJ3 brings together several important changes determined through an extensive customer feedback process, as outlined in the briefing ahead of the show. Key updates include:

• An added 4.5 inches of extra legroom for the pilot
• Integrated autothrottle technology 
• Connectivity via Garmin’s GDL60 streaming
• Optional enhanced vision system (EVS)
• Swivel seating
• RGB accent lighting
• USB-C power at every seat
• Wireless charging 
• Executive tables 
• Ample storage 
• Externally serviceable lavatory featuring CoolView skylights for natural light 
• Optional modern sink and vanity

flyExclusive Is Launch Customer

At the press conference Monday in Las Vegas, Textron Aviation announced that flyExclusive will be the first to receive the Citation CJ3 Gen2 when it is projected to enter into service in 2025. 

The private jet services provider adds to the ambitious fleet modernization program it announced in 2022, including 30 CJ3+ platforms. FlyExclusive operates a fleet of Cessna Citations, including the Citation X, Citation Sovereign, Citation Excel/ XLS, Citation CJ3 /CJ3+, and Citation Encore and Encore+ models. 

“FlyExclusive customers expect the best, and we believe the best planes money can buy are built and serviced by Textron Aviation,” said Jim Segrave, founder, chairman, and CEO of flyExclusive. “We take pride in being the fleet launch customer for the Citation CJ3 Gen 2, building on our decades-long relationship with Textron Aviation. I am excited that our fractional customers will get to invest and travel in the top light jet in the world.” 

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Cirrus Aircraft is celebrating the delivery of its 500th SF50 Vision Jet, the company announced Monday at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas.

To commemorate the milestone—as it did with the delivery of the 9,000th SR series aircraft in April—Cirrus will produce a limited edition version of the single-engine jet, which will feature 500th Limited Edition branding and five livery options from the company’s Xi Design Studio team.

Launched in 2016, the Vision Jet has received numerous updates over the years, including the introduction of the second-generation SF50 G2 model in 2019 and the G2+ in 2021. The G2 version saw the addition of RVSM certification, autothrottle, and a 200-pound payload increase. The G2+ received a 25 percent takeoff performance increase and Wi-Fi. Among other features added were the Collier-winning emergency autoland system in 2020 followed by Cirrus IQ and Garmin Auto Radar last year.

READ MORE: We Fly: Cirrus Vision Jet G2+

“With the delivery of the 500th Vision Jet, Cirrus Aircraft celebrates the marketplace success of a category-defining aircraft,” said Cirrus Aircraft CEO Zean Nielsen. “The Vision Jet is the only jet that features advanced innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), Safe Return Autoland, Wi-Fi, Cirrus IQ, and Auto Radar, along with a suite of other safety, comfort, and convenience features.”

READ MORE: Cirrus Vision Jet Gets Auto Radar, Cirrus IQ

The Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet G2+ offers a top cruise speed of 311 knots, 1,275 nm range, and payload of 1,350 pounds. Powered by the Williams J33-5A engine, it comes equipped with the Cirrus Perspective Touch+ avionics suite. The SF50 is capable of seating up to seven passengers and reaching a maximum operating altitude of 31,000 feet (FL310).

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With a bit of fanfare this morning at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Honda Aircraft Company pulled the curtain on the official marketing name for its new light jet. What was unveiled at BACE in 2021 as the HondaJet 2600 concept shall now be known as the HondaJet Echelon. The naming firmly establishes the next jet in the company’s lineup—and play to move up the scale.

The promise? To take the light jet category up a notch, and attempt to translate a “midsize jet experience” to a smaller platform—one capable of transcontinental U.S. trips. In doing so, Honda Aircraft anticipates an increase in mission flexibility for owner-pilots while keeping operating costs—and fuel burn—in check. The proposed design may attain up to 20 percent increased fuel efficiency over other light jets and up to 40 percent over midsize jets with which it expects to compete.

In the cabin, the midsize feel would continue, with “a holistic focus on the cabin experience encompassing space, comfort, and productivity,” according to the company. 

“The HondaJet Echelon was born to create a new category that transcends the travel experience on conventional light jets,” said Hideto Yamasaki, president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, in a preview statement. “Expanding mobility skyward has been Honda’s long-lasting dream, and the HondaJet Echelon marks the exciting next chapter while showcasing a classic Honda story of a product that creates new value for people.” 

Common Type Pursuit

One key element to the new model, designated the HA-480 within the HondaJet family, is Honda Aircraft’s pursuit of a common type rating to the Elite II’s basis, the HA-420. The bid will be made possible by the use of the Garmin G3000 flight deck architecture, along with flight control response and feel, and single-pilot operation in parallel. On the production line, which will run alongside that of the Elite II, Honda Aircraft is targeting as much parts commonality as possible given the change in fuselage and cross section.

Yes, the Echelon will be a bigger jet, however, with an estimated wingspan of 56 feet, length of 57 feet, and tail height of 16 feet, plus a maximum takeoff weight of 17,500 pounds.

Amod Kelkar, chief commercial officer for Honda Aircraft, has been named the program manager on the HondaJet Echelon, a project he has been deeply involved with since joining the company as vice president of customer support in 2021. In an interview with FLYING, Kelkar indicated that the Echelon makes a play for changing the blend of customers for the HondaJet series. “We have, effectively, three types of customers,” said Kelkar.

“The first one is the owner-operator who are also pilots, so they have their own aircraft, they fly their own aircraft, using it for personal [trips] or for business. Their utilization is in the zone of 150 hours per year. Then we have…corporate customers, not necessarily corporations. Those have a bit higher utilization, I would say, around 250 to 400 hours a year per aircraft, and they fly strictly for B2B type of visits. And then the third segment is in terms of utilization is the highest, but in terms of numbers is the smallest, is the charter and fractional ownership,” which files roughly 1,400 to 1,500 hours per year.

While 85 percent of current customers are in the first two segments, the Echelon is deemed likely to appeal to the Part 135 and Part 91K operators that can leverage its range to suit New York to Florida or Caribbean destinations with seats full.

HondaJet Echelon Milestones

While the name marks an important step in the process to bringing a new aircraft into the product line, other key milestones have recently been achieved by the OEM.

First, the company installed the first structural test rig in the fourth quarter of 2021, not long after the program was officially announced. Since then, the manufacturer has exited the concept phase and competed its preliminary design review, which fixes in place critical markers within the program. 

Also, Honda Aircraft celebrated the official power-on ceremony for the Echelon’s advanced systems integration test facility (ASITF) at the company’s Greensboro, North Carolina, headquarters on August 30, 2023. 

Honda Aircraft targets the next aircraft level critical design review in the summer of 2024, with “select long lead fabrication already in progress,” according to a statement from the company. The OEM will produce the Echelon within the company’s current footprint at Greensboro, with early build processes to begin in 2024. 

First flight is projected for 2026, with type certification targeted for 2028.

Sustainability Efforts

Honda Aircraft also has taken its place in the race to more efficiency with its participation in the 2023 NBAA-BACE Sustainability Pledge, “demonstrating a commitment to make NBAA-BACE a more eco-friendly event,” according to the company. “In addition, Honda Aircraft Company is utilizing the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Book and Claim [SAFC] Program for its ferry flights to and from NBAA-BACE to promote the deployment of SAF and support the industry’s commitment to carbon neutrality.”

HondaJet Specs

Engines: Williams International FJ44-4C
Avionics: Garmin G3000
Configuration: 1 crew + 10 pax or 2 crew + 9 pax
NBAA IFR Range: (1 crew + 4 pax)* 2,625 nm
Maximum Cruise Speed*: 450 ktas
Maximum Cruise Altitude*: FL470

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During its annual market report announcement on Sunday, Honeywell Aerospace has projected that 8,500 new business jets, worth about $278 billion, will be delivered during the next ten years—so says Javier Jimenez-Serrano, the firm’s strategy innovation manager. While the forecast remains unchanged from 2022, the total value of the new fleet has increased due to inflation and increasing list prices. Deliveries in 2024 will be 10 percent greater than in 2023 and sales revenue will increase 13 percent.

New business aircraft operators account for 500 of the sales from 2024 to 2033, increasing fleet
utilization by about 6 percent. Nineteen percent of existing business jet operators say that they will replace or add aircraft in their fleets in the next five years, accounting for more than 4,000 new aircraft deliveries.This is almost three times the replacement rate operators planned from 2010 to 2020. The purchasing expectation expectation also is 2 points higher than in 2022, reflecting operators’ optimism about the state of the industry and world economy. Almost two-thirds of respondents say they will fly as much in 2024 as they did in 2023. Twenty-nine percent say they will fly more hours next year. The overall size of the fleet will grow by 3 percent, according to Honeywell.

During the next five years, 64 percent of new aircraft will be delivered to North American customers, 14 percent to European operators and 11 percent to Asia-Pacific. Deliveries to the Middle East and Africa increase to 6 percent, but Latin America declines to 5 percent of global deliveries.

Jimenez-Serrano says that while fractional aircraft operators are not part of the survey, inputs from Part 91K operators, among other sources, help bolster the accuracy of the forecast. Sample size this year was a scant 100 operators, down from more than 1,500 in previous years. However, the Honeywell data closely parallels the projections of Rolland Vincent Associates of Plano, Texas, long considered one of the most credible market research firms in the business aviation industry. Jimenez-Serrano concedes that sampling error could approach +/-5 percent with only 100 respondents.

Working Through Backlogs, Supply Chain Recovery

The next three years will witness a strong surge in deliveries, as the supply chain fully recovers from the COVID slump and OEMs work off order backlogs. OEMs missed 350 deliveries from 2020 to 2022 because of COVID-induced supply chain snags. Deliveries plateau somewhat in 2028 and 2029 before slowly increasing to 930 deliveries in 2022. Jimenez-Serrano notes that total estimated deliveries during the next decade will be the highest in nearly a decade.

Midsize and super-midsize aircraft deliveries should increase about 15 percent in 2024. Long term, large cabin and ultra-long range aircraft deliveries, while only representing about 10 percent of the total, account for 69 percent of the sales revenues during the next five years. Jimenez-Serrano notes that Gulfstream’s GVII series, G400, G500 and G600, plus the Dassault Falcon 6X in the large cabin class, along with the Bombardier Global 7500/8000, Dassault Falcon 10X, and Gulfstream G700/G800, are well positioned to capitalize on this surge.

Honeywell’s Take on Sustainability

Sustainability increasingly is on the minds of business aircraft operators, with two-thirds of respondents saying they plan to embrace or increase efforts to reduce emissions. Current steps include flying fewer missions and using the airlines in lieu of their own business jets. Only 12 percent presently use biojet. Longer term, 39 percent say they plan to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and another 28 percent will buy carbon offset credits.

But, jet fuel suppliers have been slow to increase production of SAF to meet a sharp increase in demand from both business aircraft operators and the airlines. The civil jet industry consumes nearly 100-billion gallons per year and SAF production amounts to only 100-million gallons. David Shilliday, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Power Systems, believes that the industry can boost output to 10-billion gallons per year by 2030, using existing refineries and feed stocks. If the industry is going to make the transition to 100 percent SAF by 2050, Shilliday believes that major U.S. federal government investment will be needed to help jet fuel suppliers achieve that goal. Without government aid, it’s unlikely that large scale increases in feedstock supply, SAF production and cost-per-gallon affordability can be achieved.

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Textron Aviation announced on Friday that the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 business jet will be outfitted with Garmin Autothrottles. Textron Aviation announced on Friday that the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 business jet will be outfitted with Garmin Autothrottles. Designed to reduce pilot workload, the upgrade will be available starting in mid-2025.

The Garmin autothrottle system will be fully integrated with the M2 Gen2’s Garmin G3000 avionics suite, allowing it to manage engine performance and power “based on factors like altitude, airspeed, and aircraft weight.” Textron noted that the system also includes features that will prevent exceedance conditions and alert pilots if deviations occur.

“Adding Garmin Autothrottles into the Citation M2 Gen2 exemplifies Textron Aviation’s ongoing commitment to product investment across our entire product lineup,” said company senior vice president for sales and flight operations Lannie O’Bannion. “With its intelligent automation and streamlined operation, the integration of autothrottles in the aircraft provides pilots added precision and efficiency.”

• READ MORE: Textron Unveils Citation M2 Gen2, Citation XLS Gen2

The Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 was introduced in October 2021 at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, entering service in April 2022. The model has a top cruise speed of 404 knots, 1,550 nm range, and useful load of 3,180 pounds. Powered by Williams FJ44-1AP engines, the M2 Gen2 seats up to seven passengers and is capable of operating off of runways as short as 3,210 feet. In the cabin, it offers USB-A and USB-C ports at each seat, ambient accent lighting, illuminated cupholders, and an optional folding seat that can be converted for additional storage.

Textron Aviation reports that it has delivered more than 5,000 Citation-family aircraft to date.

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Dassault Aviation said it will consolidate its activities in the static display area at Las Vegas’ Henderson Executive Airport (KHND) during the upcoming NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. This first-time arrangement is meant to improve the customer experience by providing a one-stop shop.

The new display will feature a larger, redesigned chalet that will permit customers and guests to stay informed about the latest Dessault news and meet with sales, customer support, and MRO network representatives in the same place. The French company’s best-selling Falcon 2000LXS twin and Falcon 8X ultralong-range trijet will be part of the static display.

• READ MORE: Dassault’s FalconWays Uses Route Optimization to Target Carbon Emissions

The 2000LXS has a widebody cabin designed to accommodate as many as 10 passengers comfortably. The aircraft can cover a range of 4,000 nm and is known for its short-field performance. Its “combination of comfort and economical, go-anywhere performance” has helped Dassault sell nearly 700 aircraft to date, the company said.

The Falcon 8X has a 6,450 nm range and recently received an upgrade to the EASy IV flight deck from Honeywell that provides improved capability and safety features. The 8X was also approved for Dassault’s advanced, dual heads-up display, which improves situational awareness and allows both pilots to share the same view. The HUD feature is also available as a retrofit for operational 8X aircraft.

• READ MORE: SAF To Be Available at NBAA-BACE 2023

Dassault will also display a full-scale flight deck and cabin mock-up of the new ultralong-range, ultra-widebody Falcon 10X twin in development. The 10X will be powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines capable of running on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. Dassault said the 10X will be the largest purpose-built business jet on the market and will have a range of 7,500 nm.

People attending the show will also be able to try a new Dassault flight app called FalconWays, which uses wind data from around the world to help pilots plan routes that save fuel and time while lowering emissions. The company said it will roll out the app on the new Falcon 6X twin when it enters service.

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The single-pilot jet segment continues its evolution at the top end of the scale with the latest implementation of workload-reduction technology onto the flight deck. Embraer unveiled on Wednesday the coming availability of an autothrottle for the Phenom 300E light jet.

In a briefing last week with FLYING, Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano placed the new capability firmly within the OEM’s plans for supporting the innovation pillar of its business plan.

“This technology is going to reduce pilot workload…and create an additional process of safety and reliability,” Amalfitano said. “It gives comfort to the passengers on board [as well]. It’s nice to see Embraer bring these technologies further down the family of products…and it’s going to continue to keep us ahead of the competition.

“It is another example of Embraer’s mindset of continued improvement, listening to customers’ feedback, and elevating an industry-leading product even further. Innovations like this enhance the experience and deliver even more value to operators.”

The autothrottle integrates with the Prodigy Touch suite based upon the Garmin G3000 for better aircraft performance in takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and go-arounds. It joins features including the company’s proprietary runway overrun awareness and alerting system (ROAAS), emergency descent mode, and couple go-around functionality.

• READ MORE: Embraer’s Phenom 300E Full of Bossa Nova Style

The autothrottle will first be available as an option starting in the third quarter of 2024 for production aircraft. With the announcement, Embraer will be going out to existing order holders such that each one will now have the choice to add the autothrottle. It will also be available to retrofit via service bulletin to those Phenom 300Es that have factory-installed provisions.

Phenomenal Backlog

Embraer continues to ride high on a substantial backlog for all segments of its product lineup, including the Phenom 300E, as well as the recently announced Phenom 100EX. Speaking specifically regarding the company’s strength, Amalfitano expressed that the backlog represents a balance.

“If we’ve sold out of [2025] by the end of [2023], we want to keep that… book to bill ratio at a manageable point,” he said. “We have the highest…book to bill ratio of any other OEM, which was in excess of 2 to 1. We’re trying to continue to manage that. That becomes a challenge because if we go too far out [customers will] buy used airplanes instead of new airplanes. We’re not going to give up those customers to somebody else.”

Based on the most recent figures released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the company’s definition of the segment, the Phenom 300E has held the title of best-selling light jet for the past 11 years. Embraer reports that it has 700 300Es operating in the U.S.—including those for fleet customer NetJets—with more than 2 million flight hours posted.

The post Embraer Unveils Autothrottle for Phenom 300E appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Pilatus said it made a number of changes to its PC-24 jet that have resulted in improved range and load-carrying capability. In addition, the company upgraded certain interior features aimed at improving passenger comfort and flexibility.

The company said the upgraded model now can achieve a maximum range of 2,000 nm while carrying six passengers.

• READ MORE: First Pilatus PC-24 With Commuter Configuration Lands in U.S.

The changes boost the new PC-24’s full-fuel payload by 600 pounds, allowing operators to increase the PC-24’s maximum range by 200 nm with six passengers on board. The upgraded aircraft offers a full-fuel payload of a single pilot, and an additional 1,315 pounds, and a maximum payload of 3,100 pounds.

“The payload increase was achieved by refining both wing and fuselage structural elements to reduce the airframe empty weight while simultaneously increasing the maximum gross takeoff weight limit. It’s simply Swiss engineering at its best,” said Bruno Cervia, vice president of engineering for Pilatus. 

Pilatus said its engineers conducted flight tests “to expand the entire envelope for the higher design weights.” As a result, the PC-24’s balanced field length at sea level and maximum takeoff weight is 3,090 feet, which allows flights from runways that are very short and even unpaved.

• READ MORE: Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet Achieves Certification

Changes to the PC-24’s interior include reduced ambient sound and storage areas designed to maximize the available cabin space. Pilatus partnered with Lufthansa Technik to add an integrated cabin management system that includes a 10-inch touchscreen controller with a 3D moving map, four cabin speakers with an optional subwoofer, mood lighting, USB ports, and a media storage server.

The revised cabin also offers an optional side-facing divan that is 6 feet 6 inches long and can be turned into a bed in flight.

All PC-24s from serial number 501 onward will include a system for predictive services that will automatically send key aircraft data to Pilatus to be analyzed. If necessary, the system will make recommendations to the aircraft operator.

 “More range, greater payload, enhanced comfort, and increased operability were the primary focus of this major PC-24 improvement program,” said CEO Markus Bucher. “The PC-24 upgrade includes over 1,000 modifications throughout the aircraft. Yet again, we went all the way to the limits of what is possible, making maximum use of our engineering capabilities to deliver the best PC-24 ever.”

The first PC-24 showcasing the new convertible divan will be on display at the National Business Aviation Association’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas on October 17 to 19. Deliveries of the new aircraft begin in 2024.

The post Pilatus Announces Upgraded Performance, Comfort for PC-24 Jet appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Embraer will bring a new Phenom to its lineup on the static display at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Conference and Expo next week in Las Vegas. 

On Monday, it announced the debut of the Phenom 100EX—the latest edition to the light jet segment from the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer. The jet has received type certification from the FAA, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and Brazil’s ANAC.

At the company’s customer delivery facilities in Melbourne, Florida, on October 2, FLYING had a preview and a demo flight on the new jet ahead of the show. Primary among the updates I was able to experience in flight were the implementation of Embraer’s runway overrun awareness and avoidance system (ROAAS) as well as upgrades to the interior and cabin layout. The 100EX will be the first in the segment to incorporate the ROAAS, meant to address the incidence of runway overrun accidents.

Also, Flight Stream 510 on board the Phenom 100EX will now allow the pilot to connect their portable devices to the aircraft, an important time saver. Pilots can also download data from the airplane, allowing for thorough and timely analysis. Additional improvements to the Garmin G3000-centric flight deck include automatic 3D volumetric scanning with lightning and hail prediction, stabilized approach protocols, and predictive wind shear.

“We are proud to announce the Phenom 100EX—an aircraft designed to experience excellence with superior comfort and disruptive technology that enhances safety,” said Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “This product reimagines the entry-level flight experience, offering enhanced comfort, empowering pilots, and enriching journeys to deliver more value to our customers.”

Flight Demo: ROAAS

One item that may not trigger a “wow” until you feel the difference in flight is Embraer took owner-pilot feedback on the relative openness of the cabin to the flight deck and improved it by paring down the divider behind the pilot’s seat. In our demo, I sat in the sideways “jump” seat for the approach and landing and felt much more able to converse with the pilots during that portion of the flight.

That came in especially handy as we hauled down final at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB) for the ROAAS trial. The pilots had spoofed the system into thinking we only had 3,000 feet available instead of the 10,181 feet of pavement comprising KMLB’s Runway 9R. The system uses real-time aircraft and weather data to update the length of runway required for the current aircraft state. A series of alerts chime progressively if the runway length doesn’t match what’s needed, prompting the pilot to either fix the problem or go around.

• WATCH: The Embraer Phenom 100EX Launch 

The cabin updates stem from Embraer’s “Design DNA,” with improved seat design, new upper tech panels for cabin controls, and use of sustainable materials throughout. Also, the pilot’s seat now has additional seat tracking for better legroom and easier ingress and egress from the left seat. Flush-to-the-wall tables maximize workspace, and thoughtfully detailed passenger amenities complete the updated experience.

Embraer has sold out of its 2024 positions on the Phenom 100EX, with deliveries available in 2025. Base price has been held to $4.995 million, with the new features a combination of standard equipment and options.

The post Embraer Reveals the Phenom 100EX Ahead of NBAA appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Textron Aviation celebrated the delivery of its 100th Cessna Citation Longitude business jet with an event at the company’s headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, last week.

The aircraft, which went to an undisclosed longtime Cessna customer, rolled off the production line in May. The Longitude received its FAA type certificate in September 2019 with deliveries beginning the following October. The aircraft earned its type certificate under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July 2021.

“The Citation Longitude’s performance, efficiency and unrivaled cabin experience have already made it a legendary aircraft in its segment,” said Textron Aviation’s senior vice president of global sales and flight operations Lannie O’Bannion. “We’re proud of this significant delivery milestone and of our talented team who continues to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers.”

·        READ MORE: Textron Aviation’s Flagship Longitude Receives FAA Type Certification

The Cessna Citation Longitude “super-midsize” business jet features integrated autopilot and autothrottle systems with emergency descent mode (EDM), Garmin synthetic vision technology (SVT), and in-flight diagnostics reporting. Powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, the model has a 3,500-nm range, full-fuel payload of 1,600 pounds, and top cruise speed of 483 knots. It comes equipped with Garmin G5000 avionics and is capable of seating up to 12 passengers plus an optional crew jumpseat.

The Longitude boasts a 6-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin outfitted with fully berthable seats and technology designed to allow passengers “to manage their environment and entertainment from a mobile device.” It offers a cabin altitude of 4,950 feet at flight level (FL) 410 and can climb to FL430 in 20 minutes.

The post Textron Aviation Delivers 100th Cessna Citation Longitude appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The new FalconWays tool from Dassault Aviation allows Falcon jet pilots to find the most fuel-efficient routing. One benefit—besides the cost savings involved? The reduction in carbon emissions from the lower fuel burn overall. 

FalconWays uses updated global wind data, route optimization, and performance algorithms that are specific to the model. The tool will be delivered to pilots via the Dassault FalconSphere iPad electronic flight bag (EFB), and it’s compatible with both Jeppesen and Universal flight planning software.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Dassault Falcon 6X

Testing of the new app took place across continents and oceans, between the U.S. and Europe, and throughout Asia. Crew saw fuel reduction up to 7 percent on the actual flights, while others were made in simulation to prove the operational capability of the tool.

“Our new FalconWays flight app is part of our company’s broader commitment to sustainable flying,” said Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Éric Trappier. “It will help Falcon customers reach a new level of operational efficiency while reducing aviation emission levels.” 

First in the Falcon 6X

Dassault’s engineering team designed the FalconWays app in concert with the flight operations department. It’s set to debut as the recently certificated Falcon 6X enters service in the coming weeks. Optimization into the Falcon 8X will come early next year, on the 7X before the end of 2024, and for the Falcon 2000LXS/S by early 2025.

• WATCH: The Dassault Falcon 8X Streaks Through Star Wars Canyon

Pilots download global wind information to combine with the flight plans in use, in-house performance tools, and vertical, lateral, and Mach-number-optimization data.

Dassault will have the app available for demonstration at its exhibit on the static display at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Conference and Expo from October 17 through 19, in Las Vegas.

The post Dassault’s FalconWays Uses Route Optimization to Target Carbon Emissions appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2020 Cirrus SF50 G2 Vision Jet.

The Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet caused a sensation at its unveiling more than a decade ago and continues to do so with this improved G2 model. Designed as a path for pilot-owners to step up from piston aircraft to a jet, the SF50 G2 offers more travel options through enhanced speed and range. Its spacious, pressurized cabin represents a significant upgrade in comfort when compared with other single-engine piston and turboprop airplanes.

This SF50 G2 has 325 hours on the airframe and its Williams International FJ33 turbofan engine, which has a 1,846-pound thrust rating. Other highlights include the Safe Return Autoland system, Cargo X-Tend for additional cargo capacity, and Flight Stream 510 connectivity.

The aircraft’s Special Edition Arrivée interior includes executive seating with a center console, two-tone albatross and obsidian premium leather seats with white Arrivée accent stitching, Alcantara headliner with carbon fiber accents, and granite premium carpet. The aircraft’s Elite avionics package includes digital real-time weather radar, enhanced vision system, Surface Watch, traffic collision avoidance system, terrain awareness, an additional AHRS, ADS-B weather and traffic, and an additional digital transponder.

If your business and family travel plans would benefit from pressurized comfort,  300-knot cruise speed, and 31,000-foot service ceiling, you should take a closer look at this 2020 Cirrus SF50 G2 Vision Jet, which is available on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Cirrus Vision Jet G2+
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• FLYING Magazine: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet: Factory Tour
• Plane & Pilot: 2019 Planes Of The Year: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet G2
• Plane & Pilot: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet Wins Collier Trophy
• The Aviation Consumer: Cirrus Vision Jet G2: Higher, Quieter, Safer

The post Today’s Top Aircraft For Sale Pick: 2020 Cirrus SF50 G2 Vision Jet appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

What better way to show off a new airplane in the fleet than to take it on a national tour? Private aviation operator Flexjet Inc. is taking a Praetor 600 on a 12-state, 15-stop tour to introduce the midsize Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) jet to current and prospective fractional owners.

“We are looking forward to introducing this extraordinary aircraft to current and future customers,” said D.J. Hanlon, Flexjet executive vice president of sales. “Adding the super midsized Praetor 600 to the fleet is cause for celebration.”

• READ MORE: Flexjet Plans to Add 22 Jets to Fleet By Year’s End

Flexjet has been operating the Praetor 600 in Europe since 2020. The aircraft joins the U.S. fleet which includes Bombardier Challenger 350/3500s and Embraer Praetor 500s. The company notes that by the end of 2023, they will have added 22 aircraft in this category, nearly doubling the mid- and super mid size fleet since 2018.

Fuel Efficient

The Praetor 600 has a range of 4,018 nm and a high-speed cruise of 466 knots, making it the world’s farthest-flying jet in its class. One of the distinctive features of the Praetor 600 is enlarged winglets, roughly six feet high, which contribute to the aircraft’s fuel efficiency.

The Praetor 600 is full fly-by-wire technology, which powers the active turbulence reduction feature for a smoother, more efficient flight. The company notes the aircraft has a cruising altitude of 45,000 feet, which enables it to fly above commercial traffic. 

The cabin measures 26 feet, 8 inches long by 6 feet, 10 inches wide and can be configured for up to nine passengers. The passenger experience includes stowable workstations, WiFi connectivity and advanced noise suppression.

• READ MORE: Embraer’s Q3 Revenue Dips Alongside Defense Demand

Flexjet’s Praetor 600 Tour Dates

September 25 – 29, 2023

• Austin, Texas
• San Antonio, Texas
• Denver, Colorado
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Portland, Oregon
• Seattle, Washington

 October 2 – 6, 2023

• Miami, Florida
• Naples, Florida
• North Charleston, South Carolina
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• St. Paul, Minnesota

The post Flexjet Launches 12-State Praetor 600 Tour appeared first on FLYING Magazine.