NBAA news

Bombardier Reveals Global 7000 And 8000

Bombardier revealed its newest large cabin, long range business jets, the Global 7000 and 8000 (see above), one day before the start of NBAA.

Both aircraft will feature an all-new high speed transonic wing and will be powered by General Electric GE TechX 16,500lb (17. 1kN) engines which will allow them to cruise at a speed of Mach 0. 9 while delivering an eight per cent saving in fuel burn compared to the Global XRS. Both aircraft will feature windows that are 80 per cent bigger than those found on earlier Global series aircraft. They will also feature the Global Vision flightdeck, and advanced inflight connectivity and cabin management systems.

The Global 7000 will be the larger of the two aircraft and will enter service in 2016. It will feature a four zone, 74. 7m2 cabin which Bombardier says is 20 per cent greater living space than the cabin of “the current industry leader”. The aircraft will have a range of 7300nm (13,520km) while cruising at Mach 0. 85, allowing it to travel nonstop sectors such as London-Singapore and New York-Dubai with 10 passengers.

The smaller Global 8000 will enter service in 2017 and feature a three zone 63. 3m2 cabin. The jet’s 7900nm (14,630km) range will allow it to fly nonstop sectors such as Sydney-Los Angeles with eight passengers.

“These new aircraft are solid examples of Bombardier’s foresight and visionary thinking.

The Global 7000 and Global 8000 jets will give our customers the ability to reach more destinations nonstop than ever before, delivering unprecedented levels of performance, flexibility, and comfort,” said Bombardier Business Aircraft president Steve Ridolfi.

Cessna Announces New Citation Ten

Cessna has launched its new Citation Ten, a larger and more advanced version of the Citation X high performance business jet on October 18. The Citation Ten features a 38cm stretch to the fuselage of the X, while the wing sees the addition of performance enhancing winglets. The aircraft is powered by new Rolls-Royce AE3007C2 engines rated at 7034lb (31. 3kN), which Cessna says results in a nine per cent improvement in climb performance and a 1. 4 per cent improvement in specific fuel consumption. The Ten alsohas a new Garmin G5000 avionics suite, an advanced cabin management system and a new electrical system.

“We are particularly excited about the advanced technology incorporated throughout the aircraft and the improved performance characteristics that give our customers a more efficient and a more productive aircraft and aircraft cabin that are designed to meet evolving requirements in business travel,” said Jack Pelton, chairman, president and CEO of Cessna.

Hbc Launches King Air 250

Hawker Beechcraft launched the King Air 250, with the new twin turboprop utilising composite technology to improve performance.

The King Air 250 features composite winglets and propellers, as well as changes to the engine induction system. Compared to the B200GT, the 250 has a 122m advantage in takeoff distance over a 50ft obstacle at maximum takeoff weight, while at a 5000ft elevation at 250C the takeoff roll over the same obstacle is improved by 215m.

Certification for the King Air 250 program is scheduled for later this year, with first deliveries planned for the second quarter of 2011.

Legacy 650 Certified

Brazil’s ANAC and EASA have granted type certification for the Embraer Legacy 650 business jet, opening the way for customer deliveries to begin before the end of the year.

“We are happy to announce today the ANAC and EASA certifications of the Legacy 650, just one year after the program launch at the last NBAA convention. This will allow us to start deliveries of the aircraft in 2010, as planned,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer executive vice president, executive jets. “The Legacy 650 met all of the original specification targets, particularly the 3900nm range, which allows the airplane to connect important city pairs and open new markets for Embraer. ” The large cabin Legacy 650 is a development of the Legacy 600, in turn based on the airframe of the EMB-135 regional jet, and incorporates a number of changes which significantly increase the aircraft’s range. These include enlarged fuel tanks, strengthened wing and landing gear and new, more efficient Rolls-Royce AE3007A2 engines. In addition, the Legacy 650 debuts the Honeywell Primus Elite avionics suite.

With ANAC and EASA certification, the first Legacy 650 is expected to be delivered soon to a European customer. FAA certification is also expected shortly.

Bae Shows Off New Avro Business Jet Concept

BAE Systems’s Regional Aircraft division has revealed its latest concept for the BAe 146/Avro RJ based Avro Business Jet, which is aimed at the charter aircraft market.

Called the ABJ Fusion and developed in conjunction with Design Q, the aircraft is aimed at teaming the field performance, steep approach and quiet operating capabilities of the Arvo RJ/BAe 146 with a 19-seat interior aimed at sports teams, product launches and the corporate VIP market. Key features include a spacious forward entrance which leads through to a large open plan interior incorporating separate lounges. A bar and seating area is also located half way down the aircraft underneath the wing box. In addition, the Fusion includes mood lighting, a VIP lavatory and a 127cm HD television.

The Fusion is the third ABJ concept released by BAE Systems, with the company earlier showing off the ABJ Explorer One and Explorer Four ‘go-anywhere’ aircraft concepts at EBACE last May. Two further interior concepts will be released later this year and in early 2011.

Hawker 200 To Take Over From Premier Ii

Hawker Beechcraft has launched its latest evolution of the Premier light jet, the Hawker 200.

The Hawker 200 features a number of improvements to the Premier II, including new winglets, new Williams International FJ44-3AP engines, an increase in gross weight and a 45,000ft ceiling. The aircraft also features a standard multiscan weatherradar, ADS-B out capability, and a 400 hour inspection interval and 10 year composite airframe warranty. It will be capable of flying distances up to 1546nm with four passengers.

The Hawker 200 program is in an advanced state of development, with the prototype making its first flight in March and has since compiled more than 100 flying hours. The jet is scheduled for certification in the third quarter of 2012, with first deliveries planned for the fourth quarter of that year.

Hbs Offers Xpr Upgrade For Hawker 400

Hawker Beechcraft Services has announced a new high performance upgrade for the Hawker 400/Beechjet 400A business jets which it says greatly improves the capability and value of the aircraft.

The upgrade includes the addition of composite winglets and new Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines, while there will also be optional upgrades to large format LCDs for the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system and the aircraft’s interior. With the winglets and engine changes, HBS says that the 400XPR can climb to FL370 at maximum takeoff weight seven minutes quicker than the 400XP, while transcontinental range extends to over 1800nm with faster block times.

The upgrades will be offered exclusively through HBS’s factory owned service centres.

Piperjet Gains Bigger Fuselage, New Name

Piper Aircraft has announced that it has enlarged the fuselage of the single engine PiperJet, which will now be known as the PiperJet Altaire as it repositions the aircraft away from the very light jet segment and into the business aircraft market.

“While the earlier PiperJet design, with its Piper M-class cabin cross section (which was the same as the Malibu, Meridian and Matrix), provided a comfortable environment, we wanted to give our jet customers an even roomier light jet that incorporates a scalable design paving the way for a future family of competitive business jets,” said Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger.

The fuselage of the Altair now offers a rounder fuselage which is 22. 8cm taller and 10. 1cm wider cabin compared to the proof of concept PiperJet. The new cross-section also offers a wider than standard sunken aisle for easier movement inside the cabin, while it will also have a 0. 91m cabin door for ease of passenger entry and exit while providing great cargo flexibility. Additionally, the new fuselage will be mounted on top of an expanded-chord wing, with a shorter vertical empennage located slightly aft atop an elongated engine nacelle.

Changes are also proposed on the flightdeck, with the aircraft to feature centre yokes instead of the sidestick controls used on the previous PiperJet proof of concept aircraft, while it will feature a Garmin G3000 avionics suite complete with two touch screens, three displays and a GFC 700 automatic flight control system.

With the design changes, the development schedule of the aircraft has slipped, with the Altaire now due for its first flight in 2012, with certification and first delivery planned for 2014.

“I believe our customers will accept their new delivery dates because they get a much improved and efficient aircraft with enviable performance,” Piper executive vice president Randy Groom said.

Enhanced Vision For Bbj Certified

The Rockwell Collins Enhanced Vision System (EVS) has been certified by the FAA for use on the Boeing Business Jet range, with the first system fitted to a US Air National Guard C-40.

The EVS enhances situational awareness for pilots during approach, landing, taxi and takeoff by presenting an image of the external environment on the headup guidance system (HGS) and head-down displays. It works through using infrared sensors to improve views of runway and terrain in various conditions.

Installation of the EVS system on BBJs requires that the aircraft receive an upgrade to the HGS 4000, a modified radome, and fitment of the infrared camera.

Nbaa Briefs

• Fractional ownership scheme NetJets has announced an agreement with Embraer to purchase 50 Phenom 300 business jets and 75 options in a deal that could exceed more than US$1bn. The order will see the launch of the Phenom 300 Platinum Edition, which will be developed to meet the needs of NetJets’s fractional share owners, with deliveries of the new aircraft to start in 2013.