VLJs - What does the future hold?

The very light jet (VLJ) market is fueled largely by the salesmanship of its optimistic originators and the potential of a boom in air taxi operations, but a study by a European media consultant company still predicts that 4,154 aircraft will be delivered over the next 10 years by at least five manufacturers. "Some industry observers critical of the manufacturer-supplied growth rate contend that only two, or at best three, manufacturers will make it to market but the authors of this report are slightly more optimistic than this," wrote Phillip Butterworth-Hayes in the study he compiled for England-based PMI Media Group. "We believe, in addition to the five key programs featured in this report there will be other new entrants who succeed in producing aircraft for the personal jet market." The study also strongly suggests that the air taxi business, which makes up the bulk of initial orders for several companies, won't materialize as predicted.

If, as predicted by the study, the air taxi market doesn't materialize as predicted, a lot of the customers for those 4,200-odd jets will be owner pilots and that raises training and insurance issues. A Canadian company is addressing the pilot issues head-on with an "introductory" course for piston pilots who think they might like to fly jets. JetSet Inc., of Burlington, Ontario, held a training session for would-be jet jockeys over the past weekend and plans another for Nov. 24-25. The sessions give students a grounding in what will be expected of them as jet pilots for the relatively modest fee of about $2,250 USD. "This introductory course is for pilots who dream about flying a jet -- a much faster and appealing aircraft -- but who have not had the opportunity before," Edward Furtak, president of JetSet Inc., said in a news release.

CJ4

Cessna’s new Citation CJ4 (Model 525C), a larger, longer-range version of the popular CJ line introduced at the NBAA Convention last week, will be certified under the original Citation Model 525 type certificate (A1WI), FAA approved in October 1992, and also used to certify the CJ2 (Model 525) and CJ3 (Model 525B).

Orlando, Fla., October 16, 2006 – As promised, Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, launched the new Citation CJ4 business jet today at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference and annual meeting, filling a niche in the company’s product range for a larger, longer-range version of the popular CJ line.

“We’ve used new technology developed from our latest jet models, such as the Citation Mustang and the Citation Sovereign, as well as advances targeted specifically at the CJ4, to create an airplane that is truly a combination of top-notch engineering advances,” said Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack J. Pelton. “The CJ4 offers the strongest performance and payload balance yet in the CJ series, with more standard features and passenger comforts than ever before. Rather than just a stretched CJ3, the Citation CJ4 is a true upward extension to the single-pilot-certified family of Citations. It does share the CJ pedigree and will certainly follow the success of the Citation CJ1+, CJ2+ and CJ3, while offering the amenities and system architecture our customers in 2010 will demand.”

First flight of the CJ4 is scheduled for the first half of 2008 and entry into service is set for the first half of 2010. The introductory price is expected to be $7.995 million in 2006 dollars. Since launching the program several weeks ago, Cessna already has taken more than 70 orders for the new jet, 25 of which will be included in third quarter backlog for contracts that were completed by the end of September.

Configurable for seven to eight passengers in the main cabin, the CJ4 is expected to have a full fuel payload of 1,000 pounds and maximum payload of 2,100 pounds, more than 300 additional pounds compared to the typical CJ3. The CJ4 is expected to have a cruise speed of 500 miles per hour (435 KTAS).

The newly engineered wing of the CJ4 is moderately swept. Some features of the wing are similar to the Sovereign, including the three upper speed brake panels on each wing, which allow the airplane to have the short field performance the CJ series is known for. The CJ4 can takeoff from runways as short as 3,300 feet and land on runways as short as 2,665 feet.

The new Williams International FJ44-4A electronically controlled (FADEC) engine will debut on the CJ4. The twin engines each provide 3,400 pounds of thrust, compared to 2,820 pounds of the CJ3’s FJ44-3A. The aircraft will be certified for operations up to 45,000 feet. The electric rudder and aileron trim are new features, as is single-point refueling for the aircraft.

Passengers boarding will find a wider cabin door like the Mustang, new generation seat design with increased head and shoulder room, a total of four inches more foot room in the cabin, and more storage when compared to the CJ3. The window placements are positioned for optimal passenger viewing. The CJ4 will have a standard integrated cabin management system for lighting, electric shades, and a home-theater-like digital entertainment suite. The system will allow a selection of media, such as DVD, CD, MP3 and XM satellite radio. Accommodations for other devices, such as iPods, are also included. And, not only will the pilots have split fan speed on the climate control in the cockpit, but passengers will be able to select their own temperature setting for the cabin.

Electrically heated glass windshields and side windows will provide a quieter environment in the cockpit. Pilots will find easier entry into the cockpit with an improved, ergonomic pedestal arrangement, as well as more than two inches more legroom than the CJ3. The Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite is a clean design and features four 8-by-10 inch flat screen displays. For a quick reference of how the airplane’s main systems are performing, the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) displays summarized systems operating parameters on the multifunctional displays (MFDs).

Two control display units (CDUs) are positioned on the tilt panel to provide the interface for radio tuning and the single flight management system (FMS). TAWS Class A (terrain awareness warning system), TCAS II (traffic alert and collision avoidance system), cockpit voice recorder (CVR), electronic charts, and XM graphical weather are just part of the standard capabilities.

An essential electrical bus architecture breaks new ground for this class of aircraft with multiple power sources to provide much higher reliability and greater situation awareness in the event of an electrical emergency. This functionality includes continued power to all four displays and the autopilot.

The Citation CJ4 will join the CJ1+, CJ2+ and CJ3, which have amassed more than 900 airplanes in the fleet with more than 1.3 million flight hours.

Raytheon Aircraft Company Introduces Two New Hawkers

ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2006) – Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) announced today the
development of the Hawker 900XP and Hawker 750 models for the mid-size and super- light-mid jet markets. Following market analysis and a review of the Hawker product line, it was apparent an opportunity was not being satisfied in the light- mid size jet market. These two products will leverage the success of the Hawker 800-series cabin.

The Hawker 900XP will launch Honeywell’s new TFE731-50R engine providing improved
hot and high altitude performance with over 2,800 nm NBAA IFR range with six passengers
allowing it to make a one-stop flight from New York to Honolulu 99.9 percent of the time. It also
will have the same cabin size as the Hawker 800-series, the largest and most successful cabin in its class. Featuring a factory-customized interior by the Little Rock Completion Center, and RAC designed winglets, the 900XP will be well positioned to continue to be the most preferred airplane in the mid-size segment. Standard priced at $13.9 million, certification is expected mid-year 2007 with deliveries to begin in the 3rd Quarter.

The new Hawker 750 will be a 2,100 nm NBAA IFR range airplane with four passengers,
strategically positioned with the largest cabin in the light- mid size aircraft segment. It will have the same cabin as the Hawker 800-series, but the ventral fuel tank will be replaced with a heated external baggage compartment with 32 cubic feet of additional baggage capacity. The Hawker 750 cabin measuring 5’9” in height and 6’0” in width will be far superior in both comfort and size to anything in the light- mid size category. The airplane will continue to use the highly successful Honeywell TFE731-5BR engine and state-of-the-art Collins Pro Line 21 avionics package. The aircraft will feature a new Hawker interior designed specifically for the 750 and for this market segment. Priced at $11.2 million standard and $11.9 million typically equipped in 2007 dollars, certification is planned for Q3 2007 and deliveries will begin in the Fourth Quarter.

“The Hawker 900XP and Hawker 750 will provide us with the best combination of cabin
size, payload, and range in their respective market segments,” Brad Hatt, president, Commercial Aircraft. “Hawker has always been synonymous with quality, performance and value. Now we will have two additional products in two different market segments backed by the exceptional service and support our customers know to expect.”

Cessna Upgrades XLS

Orlando, Fla., October 16, 2006 – Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, introduced the Citation XLS+ today at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference and annual meeting, adding the latest capabilities and technologies to the world’s best selling business jet.

New features include the fully integrated Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite, which includes XM animated broadcast graphical weather and charts, and electronically controlled (FADEC) engines from Pratt & Whitney. Exterior and interior restyling is also integrated into the new model, most prominently the extended contour of the nose and expanded seat widths, both introduced to more closely resemble Cessna’s Citation X and Citation Sovereign models.
“With more than 500 aircraft delivered and more than one million flight hours in the fleet since the model series began with the Citation Excel in 1998, Cessna is proud to say this is the best-selling mid-size business jet in the world today,” said Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack J. Pelton. “Yet even with the success of this aircraft, Cessna has continued to seek improvements by asking our customers how we could make the best even better. Their feedback is what you see integrated into this advanced Citation XLS+ design today.”

Certification for the Citation XLS+ is expected in the first quarter of 2008 with the first customer delivery in the last quarter of 2008. Priced at $11.595 million, the XLS+ will continue the tradition of the Excel and XLS as the most affordable stand-up cabin business jet. The Citation XLS+ will travel as fast as 500 miles per hour, have a range of more than 1,800 nautical miles, climb direct to 45,000 feet in 29 minutes, and land on runways as short as 3,180 feet.

The Collins Pro Line 21 suite will have four 8-by-10-inch flat screens - two primary flight displays (PFDs) and two multi-function flight displays (MFDs) with video capability. The new system will have an enhanced avionics diagnostic system, XM animated broadcast graphical weather and charts, and autopilot controls in a heads-up location. The lower cockpit panel will be tilted for better accessibility and readability of switches and gauges. In addition, the throttle quadrant and pedestal have been simplified for better feel, reliability and maintainability, and the flight management system’s control display unit has been relocated forward of the throttle on the tilted panel.

For the first time on a Cessna aircraft, there will be an option for second file server unit (FSU) for charts and maps, which will offer the redundancy that allows the cockpit to be totally paperless and eliminates the need for an electronic flight bag.

The new PW545C Pratt & Whitney engines will have the same thrust rating as the XLS model PW545B, but with the notable addition of electronic control capabilities (FADEC), easing pilot workload.

On the interior, serpentine side ledges will allow for restyled passenger seats that will be two inches wider than before. The cabin will more closely resemble the Citation X and Citation Sovereign layout.

To increase serviceability, the XLS+ will feature the most advanced diagnostic system on any Cessna Citation to date. The system will be able to identify the root cause of maintenance issues on the first occurrence. This will reduce parts and labor costs as well as improve the return-to-service time for intermittent in-flight faults that cannot be duplicated on the ground.

The Citation Excel was first delivered in May 1998, and 370 units were delivered through June 2004. The Citation XLS was first delivered in July 2004, and 329 are expected to be delivered through the end of September 2008. The 500th Excel/XLS was delivered in June 2006, making the Excel/XLS the best-selling aircraft of all business jet models since its introduction.

NBAA’s 59th Annual Meeting & Convention Breaks a Number of Records

ORLANDO, FL, October 19, 2006 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that its 59th Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando was the biggest and best in the Association’s history, breaking attendance records and selling out exhibit space earlier than ever before. At the close of the three-day event, the attendance total was 33,088, which was a 14-percent increase over the final total for 2005, also in Orlando, and higher than the previous record of 31,665 set in Las Vegas in 1998.

“This year’s Annual Meeting & Convention has surpassed our expectations on all fronts,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are pleased at the continued growth in support from the business aviation community for this event and for the opportunity to enhance the public’s understanding of business aviation.”

Bolen continued, “This annual event allows us to showcase the diversity and vitality of business aviation, its industrial and technology innovation, contributions to the national economy, and growth and development of communities nationwide.”

Not only was attendance at an all-time high, but also Exhibitor records were broken.

For the first time, the exhibit floor was sold out more than a month before the opening day, with a total of 1,140 Exhibitors registered and a total of 5,235 10-by-10-foot booth spaces sold, which represents an increase in booth spaces of nearly 9 percent over 2005, with both shows held at the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center.

The 59th session also featured more aircraft on the exhibit floor than previous years – 11 fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters. The static display at Orlando Executive Airport sold out with 117 aircraft on display.

Bolen also extended NBAA’s thanks to Orlando and Orange County officials for their continued assistance in making the session so successful. According to the Orange County Convention Center, the NBAA event brought an estimated $42 million in economic impact to the city.

“NBAA also wishes to thank everyone involved with this year's event, and we look forward to our next gathering in 2007," Bolen said. The NBAA 60th Annual Meeting & Convention is scheduled for September 25 through 27, 2007, in Atlanta, GA.

Boeing Business Jets Launches New Family Member

RLANDO, Fla., Oct. 16, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets today celebrates its 10-year anniversary by launching the newest member of its business jet family -- the BBJ 3. The airplane, which is based on the new Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range), won two orders from undisclosed customers.

Boeing does not reveal the identity of BBJ owners at the request of its customers.

The new BBJ 3 is the largest BBJ family member and offers 1,120 square feet (104 square meters) of cabin space, 35 percent more than the BBJ and 11 percent more than the BBJ 2. With up to eight auxiliary fuel tanks, the BBJ 3 has a maximum range of 5,475 nautical miles (10,140 km).

In addition to the two BBJ 3 orders, Boeing Business Jets has secured 10 new orders for BBJs in the last 11 months, bringing total program sales to 114 airplanes.

"This has been a remarkable year for the BBJ," Boeing Business Jets President Steven Hill said during a media briefing at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention and Exhibition in Orlando. "Since last year's NBAA, we have won 12 new orders. The continued success of the BBJ is validation of the airplane's value to its owners. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate 10 years of success in the VIP market than with a new family member."

A decade ago, Boeing and General Electric launched Boeing Business Jets, providing private owners, heads of state, corporate leaders and charter companies with a long-range airplane that offers three times the interior space of traditional business jets with similar range capability.

Since then, Boeing Business Jets has become the eighth-largest Next-Generation 737 customer. Boeing Commercial Airplanes provides airplanes to Boeing Business Jets, which then delivers them "green" to a customer-selected completion center for interior configuration and paint.

Private individuals comprise 43 percent of the BBJ customer base. About 35 percent are government heads of state, 12 percent are corporate operators and the remaining 10 percent are charter operators.

The BBJ 3 joins an airplane family that includes the BBJ, which is a high-performance derivative of the 737-700, and the BBJ 2, which is based on the 737-800. The BBJ was launched July 2, 1996, and was followed by the BBJ 2 on Oct. 11, 1999.

Getting Geeked

I'm getting a little geeked up for the NBAA convention in Orlando in a few days. My e-mail box and snail mailbox have both been overflowing with announcements and such from various manufacturers and suppliers. At some point it became a bit tedious. How much stuff can you send me that I am not interested in? I am interested in alot of aviation stuff - but I really don't care if such and such company just reached a deal with Paychex to handle their payroll. It seems like we are gtting to the point of creating news releases just b/c a competitor did!

Anyways - I will try to update the site and blog throughout the convention whenever I can get wifi access and whenever I have something interesting to say.

Thank you for all of your support over the past few months with the BusinessJetBlog!

Web 2.0 Domain Information

Deborah Wilcox, a prominent IP lawyer, has a lot of useful information regarding domain names and information that everyone in every industry with a website should be looking into these days. I asked her a few questions the other day, and she responded to them in this article.



http://wistechnology.com/article.php?id=3378

VERY LIGHT JETS TAKING CENTER STAGE

Announcements of new very light jet (VLJ) projects and updates on FAA
certification of aircraft have headlined the aviation and mainstream
media over the past several months. NBAA has lined up senior executives
from VLJ manufacturers and an air taxi start-up for a VLJ panel
discussion to be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17
during NBAA2006. Executives are confirmed from Adam Aircraft, Aviation
Technology Group, Cessna Aircraft Company, Eclipse Aviation, Embraer,
and Magnum Jet for this exclusive insight into the VLJ marketplace. FAA
and DOT staff will present on regulatory initiatives related to VLJs
and air taxis. In addition to VLJ announcements, many other aircraft
and product announcements are expected to be made at this year's NBAA
Convention, the only place in the world where buyers can make
side-by-side comparisons of all business aviation aircraft in or soon
to be in production. For more information or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/2006

Eclipse 500 Update

I had a long conversation with Dean Kantis last week about his company Micro Jet Positions and he provided me with a lot of insight on the Eclipse 500 and the Very Light Jet (VLJ) market.

I went to Cincy a few weeks ago to take a first hand look at the Eclipse 500 and met a lot of very knowledgable people. Not the sales people, the people looking at the aircraft. In particluar John Warrington, an asset protection manager in Cincy.

The take aways that I got from talking with these fine gentleman are:

• People are definitely excited about affordable jet ownership. At this price point, someone who was going to spend $1 million plus on a Beech Baron (one of my personal favs) may be just as happy to buy a 1/2 or 1/4 interest in an Eclipse 500 and also buy a DA-40 or SR-22. Most of the "fun" flying could be accomplished in the smaller aircraft, while longer trips or trips for business could be accomplished in the 500.
  
• The Eclipse 500 has a nice ramp presence, but I'd like to see it parked next to a C90GT.
• Eclipse hasn't figured out how to handle the customer experience. I waited in line to look at this thing longer in Cincinatti (over an hour) than I did last year in Orlando at the NBAA ten minutes, tops).
  
• The feel of the interior is much nicer than I expected. But, it is probably a four person aircraft as opposed to the advertised five. The right hand passenger seat had zero leg room and would be cramped for a long ride.
• One of the most impressive features - especially for the safety of owner/operators is the weight and balance calculator that is built into the flight management system.
  
• Overall, I think Eclipse has hit the nail right on the head - the Citation Mustang will be tough competition but it almost twice the price.
  

Bombardier Learjet 60 Sets World Speed Record in South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa, September 22, 2006

The popular Bombardier Learjet 60 midsize jet -- recognized worldwide for its legendary performance and value -- yesterday set a world speed record for its class, flying Cape Town-Johannesburg, round trip, in two hours, 59 minutes.
The flight is fully sanctioned by the Federation Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

“The aircraft performed superbly as expected,” said Terry Redman, chief pilot and director, The Aviation Co., the aircraft’s operator. “We took off from Cape Town at 10h00, local time, and quickly climbed to 37,000 feet (11,277 m) to avoid turbulence and traffic. The first leg to Johannesburg took just one hour, 24 minutes. The aircraft’s performance was put to the test against the wind on the return leg to Cape Town, arriving only one hour and 35 minutes later.
The aircraft handled beautifully throughout the flight and the roundtrip time easily establishes the benchmark speed standard for this trip.”

In customer service since June 2006, the Learjet 60 aircraft, owned by Skyros Properties of Cape Town, cruised at Mach 0.81 throughout the flight, until it clocked-in with the Cape Town International Airport tower at 13h35, where its 2,000-foot (610 m) flyover confirmed its impressive time and speed. The Learjet 60 aircraft then performed several fly passes as part of the flying display at the Africa Aerospace and Defence show, landing just in time to co-star with the high-speed Bombardier Global 5000 business jet at an exclusive reception.

National Aeronautical Association (NAA) official Frank Eckhart was on board and validated the speed record with the help of two GPS devices installed specifically for this flight. The NAA will submit the record to the FAI in Paris, France, for international ratification.

Upon touch down, owner Dr. Gaston Savoi, chairman of Skyros Management, Skyros Health, and Intaka Investments, greeted his aircraft and crew. “We are delighted with our Learjet 60,” said Dr. Savoi. “The jet’s large cabin combined with its outstanding reliability is a winning combination. It has proven itself as an essential tool to travel between our various companies’ branches and affiliates in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania.”

Bombardier Learjet 60 XR – the next evolution of the proven Learjet 60 aircraft
Bombardier introduced the Learjet 60 XR business jet in November 2005. Building on the proven reliability, value and high-speed performance of the Learjet 60, the new derivative retains its predecessor’s stand-up cabin and incorporates an advanced Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and restyled interior featuring enhanced legroom, optimized work areas, LED lighting throughout the cabin and state-of-the art audio-video system.

Like its namesake, the Learjet 60 XR aircraft delivers transcontinental range and outstanding climb capabilities, with superior fuel-efficiency and low direct operating costs per nautical mile. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification of the Learjet 60 XR jet is expected shortly, with the first aircraft on target to enter service in early 2007.

Raytheon Aircraft Company Breaks Ground to Expand Little Rock Operation

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Oct. 3, 2006) – Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) broke ground today to expand their aircraft completions facilities in Little Rock, Ark. Ceremonies included dignitaries from local and state government who spoke at the event. “Raytheon Aircraft Company’s commitment to our Little Rock facility and the great team of talented people we have working here is an investment in the future,” said Jim Schuster, chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who also spoke at the event. “Hawker aircraft have a long tradition of reliability, durability and proven performance, and this investment will allow us to continue to set the industry standard for quality, performance and value.”

The $16.3 million expansion will enhance the space needed to finish the paint and interior of the flagship of the Hawker product line, the Hawker 4000 composite fuselage super-midsize business jet, as well as enhance existing operations. Currently, the facility fits Raytheon Aircraft Company’s Hawker 850XPs with custom interiors, custom avionics packages, exterior coatings and paint, and are then delivered to the customer.

The facilities at present are working at capacity and will need the additional space to complete and deliver the number of aircraft currently on order. A facility expansion will add 112,000 square feet to the existing structure and enable throughput to double by the end of 2008. A new 54,000 square foot hangar bay will provide the necessary space for Hawker 4000 completions. Extension of back portions of the existing buildings will provide additional woodshop, upholstery, sheet metal and stores space. All areas throughout the facility will be redesigned to optimize work flow. RAC expects to create up to 150 new, full-time positions over the next 24 months.

NetJets Orders 24 Dassault 7X Jets For $1.1 Billion

Dassault Aviation unveiled a $1.1 billion order on Tuesday for 24 Falcon 7X business jets from U.S.-based Netjets, which pioneered the concept of "fractional ownership" of executive aircraft.The order is the biggest yet for the French planemaker's latest business model, which competes with Canadian and U.S. rivals for sales spurred by security and airport congestion.

NetJets Inc., part of Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., offers stakes starting at $400,000 which buys the user access to a fleet of business jets of various sizes and ranges. The 7X planes -- worth $40-45 million each depending on the frills on board -- will be delivered between 2008 and 2014.