Jessica is Executive Editor of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine. She started as Editor of ShowNews Online, Aviation Week's on-site trade show daily published at the Paris Air Show, NBAA Annual Convention, Singapore Air Show and at other significant aerospace gatherings.
Jessica has worked in television production and management consulting. While not yet a licensed pilot, Ms. Salerno has received flight instruction and has soloed.
As we went to press, Bloomberg news was reporting that Beechcraft is up for sale. Again. The report stated, “Credit Suisse Group AG is contacting potential suitors on their interest in acquiring Beechcraft, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. Beechcraft may fetch about $1.5 billion, another person said. Cessna Aircraft parent Textron Inc.
A softening in purchase expectations in several regions led Honeywell Aerospace to scale back its 10-yr. forecast for new aircraft deliveries, but the increasing preference for large-cabin, long-range aircraft is keeping the anticipated dollar value of those deliveries at the same level as in previous forecasts. In its latest Business Aviation Outlook, Honeywell predicts a market for 9,250 new business jets valued at $250 billion through 2023. The forecast is down from last year's prediction of 10,000 new business jets through 2022.
Bombardier and the FAA are in the final stages of earning certification in fourth quarter for the Learjet 75 as an amendment to the Learjet 45 type certificate. Other than a series of weight increases and internal engine upgrades for the original Model 45, the Model 75 is the first major modification to the aircraft since it entered service in late 1997. The new derivative will fly eight passengers 1,775 nm, 4% farther than current production aircraft. Half of the improvement is due to new blended winglets that both decrease drag and increase span.
