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KLAPMEIER MAKES PLAY FOR CIRRUS JET

Trusted industry publication AVweb has confirmed that former Cirrus Design CEO Alan Klapmeier is making a bid to acquire the rights to manufacture and sell the Vision SF 50 single-engine jet. A source close to the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Klapmeier announced that he has "formed a team of financial advisors and engineers" to try to take over the project. The source said Merrill Lynch is involved in the negotiations between the Klapmeier group and Arcapita Ventures, Cirrus Aircraft's majority investor, over the potential acquisition of the project. The new company will be separate from Cirrus and a name has not been chosen.

GULFSTREAM - Getting it all together

The all-new Gulfstream G650, the largest-cabin, longest-range, fastest business jet ever to be manufactured by Gulfstream Aerospace, is rapidly coming together at the business-jet manufacturer’s Savannah facility. “The speed and ease with which the wing join, engine mount and fuselage components, including the empennage, came together is a tribute to the people who designed and manufactured these major parts,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream Aerospace. First flight of the G650 is scheduled for the second half of this year, following extensive ground testing. See pictures of the progress.