Bombardier handed over the first Mexico-bound Global 6000 to Aero Angeles S.A de C.V. The delivery comes as Bombardier anticipates growth in the Latin America market, forecasting 2,300 business jet deliveries to the region over the next 20 years. The company sees an uptick driven by economic growth, globalization and an increase in the number of billionaires in the region.
Embraer’s Phenom 100 surpassed the 300-delivery mark. The company handed over the 300th Phenom 100 to Brazilian agribusiness Laticínios Bela Vista. Embraer announced the very light jet in 2005 and delivered the first 100 in December 2008. The aircraft is powered by two P&WC PW 617F-E engines, rated at 1,695 shp ea. The current B&CA equipped price for the Phenom 100E is $4,161,000.The aircraft is operating in more than 25 countries.
Hawthorne Global Aviation Services is expanding its maintenance operations to accommodate an increased demand from both in-house and transient customers at its Long Island MacArthur Airport (KISP) location. It has added a second shift to provide extended hours seven days a week at the facility. The location has been an FAA-approved repair station for nearly 30 years and employs 20 technicians and support staff. The facility, which supports ExcelAire’s fleet of more than 20 aircraft, is a factory authorized Embraer Legacy service center.
Embraer reports that it delivered 34 aircraft — 20 of them business jets — during the first quarter of 2014. In addition to 14 commercial E-Jets, the Brazilian planemaker handed over three Phenom 100s, 14 Phenom 300s, two Legacy 650s and one Lineage 1000. The company says that as of March 31 its firm order backlog totaled $19.2 billion, a $1 billion increase during the quarter in which Air Costa, an Indian carrier, ordered 50 E-Jets.
Aircell reports surpassing the 2,000th installation of its Gogo Biz system in business aircraft. The broadband service was introduced in June 2009. The company has more than 4,000 air-to-ground systems in the business and commercial aviation markets.
Robinson Helicopter Co. has delivered its 500th R66, just three and a half years after the FAA awarded certification to the five-place helicopter, the Torrance, Calif., manufacturer’s first turbine-powered machine. The milestone helicopter was delivered March 14 to Aviamarket, a Russian dealer. Aviamarket put the aircraft’s capabilities to the test last year, first in April when company pilots landed an R66 at the North Pole, and again in September when the company organized a six-week, around-the-world expedition using a pair of R66s.
SyberJet, the latest iteration of the SJ30, a light jet project that was seemingly in a permanently stalled condition since its launch back in the 1980s, was planning a grand opening ceremony May 1 at its new completions and delivery center in Cedar City, Utah. Plans call for completing the development and certification of a new SyberVision avionics suite for the already certificated aircraft and ramping up the SJ30 production line in Cedar City into next year.
Aircell received EASA approvals to install inflight connectivity and entertainment systems aboard Bombardier Challenger 300 business jets. The supplemental type certificates cover the Aviator 300 and UCS 5000 systems. The UCS 5000 approval was the first from Europe since Aircell introduced the system in October. Aircell says a number of other certifications for the system are in the works. The company entered the European market in 2002, and the region has become the company’s second-largest market.
Welcome to the May 2014 edition of Business & Commercial Aviation featuring this year’s Purchase Planning Handbook! We know from reader feedback that the annual handbook stays on their desks and within easy reach year-round. That's because the data contained within helps underpin important decisions on major investments involving aircraft and their equipage. And recognizing the importance of that simple fact, our knowledgeable editors work hard to make sure the information is complete, accurate and up-to-date.
Bombardier handed over the first Mexico-bound Global 6000 to Aero Angeles S.A. de C.V. The delivery comes as Bombardier anticipates growth in the Latin America market, forecasting 2,300 business jet deliveries to the region over the next 20 years. The company sees an uptick driven by economic growth, globalization and an increase in the number of billionaires in the region.
Bombardier’s revolutionary, composite Airframe — Learjet 85 — completed its first flight on April, 9, 2014. The event is a critical milestone for the midsize jet development program that was launched in October 2007, signifying that the development program is getting back on track after more than a year of technical problems. Composite construction process control has been particularly challenging. When certified, the Learjet 85 will become business aviation’s first primarily composite airplane.
Without the extra service and empathy that makes the difference between a good operation and a prideful one, you may wake up one morning on the outside looking in, hoisted by your own petard” – J. Sheldon “Torch” Lewis, Greenhouse Patter
It is my custom when receiving my copy of B&CA to first turn to your interesting editorials. However, with the March issue I must admit that did not happen. Prior to the editorial page my attention was distracted by the photograph of a Luscombe. Having learned to fly in a Luscombe, and as a your flight instructor in the early 1950s, taught a number of people to fly in a Luscombe, I must confess that I have a soft spot in my heart for that airplane.
