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October 22, 2009

Phenom plant continues to take shape in Florida

By Mark Huber

Embraer began site preparation last month at Melbourne (Fla.) International Airport for a $51 million aircraft assembly and delivery center. A ceremonial ground-breaking was held for the 150,000-sq-ft plant in January, and its design received governmental approvals in May.

Construction begins even as Embraer has reduced its annual research-and-development budget by $100 million and plan more

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Daher-Socata mulls NTx power, says partners will determine type

By Jeff Apter

Daher-Socata’s target of formally launching a new eight- to 10-seat or equivalent weight twin-engine business airplane sometime next year is still planned, but it depends on the company continuing to seek investment partners to fund the NTx New Twin program, unveiled at last year’s NBAA Convention. The program was expected to launch late this year, but has already slipped with the question of more

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Downturn could shrink next EBACE

By Charles Alcock

Just as the reduced size of this week’s NBAA show is a sign of the harsh economic times in which the business of business aviation is being conducted, next year’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva seems likely to be on a diminished scale as Europe’s economies deal with the downturn.
Recession had already taken hold in much of Europe around the tim more

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A greener de-icer soon to debut

One of the founders and innovators of the TKS anti-icing system plans to launch the world’s first environmentally friendly anti-icing fluid called TKS Sustain, based on propane diol rather than the more traditional ethylene glycol. Kilfrost, exhibiting here at Booth No. 5513, has submitted the product for certification and expects to gain approval to market it this coming winter.

Kil more

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Embraer expects to cut metal for new Legacys in early ‘10

By Kirby J. Harrison

Several years ago, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer announced its intent to become “a major player” in the business aviation industry. With certification of the Phenom 100 compact very light jet last year and the pending certification of the larger Phenom 300 small-cabin light jet before the end of this year, the company is moving closer to that industry role.

Now, even in the face of more

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Meridian toughing it out in tight charter market

By Harry Weisberger

The Meridian Companies at Teterboro Airport come to Orlando epitomizing the old saw that “when times get tough the tough get going.” The Meridian NBAA booth (No. 1890) showcases the four facets of the New Jersey airport business: Meridian Teterboro-FBO Services; Meridian Jet Center, an FAA Part 145 repair station and detailing service; Meridian Air Charter and Meridian Aircraft Management.
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Prices and usage are down as charter market feels the pinch

By Ian Goold

When is a business jet not a business jet?–When it has been developed into a regional jet that has been converted into a corporate jet. Some of those conversions, such as that of the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet Series 200 (CRJ200), itself based on the CL-600 Challenger business jet, have enjoyed mixed fortunes.

The CRJ’s airframe, engines and multiple- redundancy systems are s more

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SimCom upgrades units, adds light-jet fam course

By Matt Thurber

SimCom Training Centers is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, as well as  the addition of new training programs and upgraded simulators. One new program–
the light jet familiarization course–is aimed at pilots who are thinking about transitioning to a light jet, which ties in perfectly with the new Light Business Airplane content at this year’s convention. 

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Owners ready for ’10 airlift

By David A. Lombardo

For the sixth time, Cessna Citation owners will be taking to the sky in support of the Special Olympics. The 2010 USA National Games, to be held July 18 to 24 on the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln, is expected to attract 3,000 athletes from the 50 states. Also expected to attend are 1,000 coaches and official delegates, 15,000 athletes’ family members and friends, 8,000 volunteers and more

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15 Business Aviation Milestones

By Matt Thurber

Business aviation would be nowhere if it weren’t for the pioneers who jump-started aeronautical development in the first part of the last century. The Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh and the early air racers who squeezed every ounce of available technology into what were then state-of-the-art airplanes all deserve much credit. Still, it wasn’t until after World War II that private aviation more

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