June 28, 2005
By The AVweb Editorial Staff

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FAA Certifies Cessna’s Latest Citation

The FAA earlier this month awarded Cessna the type certification paperwork necessary for the company to keep its Model 525 Citation CJ1+ on schedule for first customer deliveries during the last quarter of 2005, according to the company. The new type's certification -- actually a growth version of the CJ1 -- was earned after slightly more than 200 flights and 400 flight hours, spanning just eleven months. When compared with the model it replaces, the "Plus" offers better performance, a new integrated avionics suite and more cabin amenities along with an expanded standard equipment list. For example, and thanks to its Williams’ FJ44-1AP dual-channel FADEC-controlled engines, the CJ1+ is more than 20 knots faster than the earlier CJ1 at FL410. Another example is in the CJ1+'s maximum gross takeoff weight, which saw a 100-pound increase. “Receiving certification on the CJ1+ is a culmination of a very important partnership between our customers and our employees,” said Jack J. Pelton, Cessna’s chairman, president and CEO. According to Cessna, the upgraded (from the CJ1) standard avionics package in the Citation CJ1+ is a set of Collins Pro Line 21 products nearly identical to what's offered on the new Citation CJ2+ and Citation CJ3 models. It includes three 8-inch by 10-inch displays, two air data computers, a file server system with cursor control panel and enhanced map overlays, Pro Line 21 CNS radios, broadcast weather, and Collins FMS-3000 with performance database. In the cabin, standard CJ1+ equipment includes a flushing toilet and indirect LED lighting, among other features. To date, the CJ1+'s predecessors -- the CitationJet and Citation CJ1, which number more than 550 airframes -- have logged over 975,000 flight hours.

Gulfstream G150 Completes Company Tests

Gulfstream Aerospace said earlier this month it has completed all internal flight-testing of its newest offering, the Gulfstream G150 business jet, and will now move on to certification tests. Gulfstream, which is partnered with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) on the Tel Aviv-manufactured bizjet, will conduct the tests under Civil Aviation Administration of Israel auspices. The G150 is a wide-cabin enhancement -- the G150’s cabin height is just five inches shorter than the company's G350, G450, G500 and G550 models -- of the Gulfstream G100, itself a slightly revamped version of the Astra SPX. In January, the first G150 rolled out of IAI's factory and completed its first flight four moths later. According to Gulfstream, the G150 is on schedule for type certification in the first quarter of next year. The company expects FAA certification to follow shortly, with customer deliveries and service entry during 2006's third calendar quarter. Manufacturing plans call for "green" G150 aircraft to be completed at Gulfstream’s Dallas, Texas, facility. “The flight testing of this new aircraft is progressing flawlessly,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “The flight envelope has been completely opened – reaching maximum altitude of 45,000 feet and a maximum speed of 0.882 Mach. Maximum endurance has already exceeded five hours.” The G150 is powered by two Honeywell TFE731-40AR engines, enabling high-speed cruise of up to Mach .85 and a maximum altitude of FL450. At a long-range power setting, the jet will cruise at Mach .75 and carry four passengers up to 2700 nm. Gulfstream will offer several cabin configurations for the G150, seating up to eight passengers.

Is There A Honda In Your Future?

Few would dispute that Japan-based Honda makes a wide range of popular products, including cars, motorcycles, generators and even lawn mowers. So, you may ask, what's stopping them from bringing to market the still-under-development HondaJet? Apparently, the company is willing to quietly continue its flight testing in Greensboro, N.C., and wait for both the light-jet market and the airplane to stabilize. But, signs are becoming apparent that Honda thinks it's making progress in these areas -- the company recently said it will bring the experimental HondaJet to this year's EAA AirVenture on Thursday, July 28, 2005. “Aviation has long been a dream for Honda, and the HondaJet is the embodiment of that dream,” said Michimasa Fujino, HondaJet project leader and vice president of Honda R&D Americas Inc. “We chose EAA AirVenture for the HondaJet’s world debut in the pure spirit of our passion for aviation, and to share our new technology with the aviation community from a research and development standpoint.” Powered by two Honda HF-118 engines -- which also are experimental and which Honda plans to produce with General Electric -- the HondaJet's winglets, slightly drooped cockpit and upper-wing pylons for engine mounting conjure up the illegitimate offspring of a G-III, a B-1 bomber and the commercially disappointing Convair 990. As presently configured, the HondaJet includes a natural-laminar flow and an advanced lightweight all-composite fuselage. The aircraft has been used for a series of flight tests since December 2003 from the Piedmont Triad Airport in Greensboro, N.C. The HondaJet’s world debut at EAA AirVenture represents the HondaJet’s first public flight and first major exposure to aviation enthusiasts and the aviation media, according to EAA.

Transport Canada Approves Bombardier EVS

Canada-based Bombardier said earlier this month that Transport Canada awarded the company "provisional approval" for the Bombardier Enhanced Vision System (BEVS) on March 31. The action "paves the way" for FAA and European Aviation Safety Association (EASA) certification, according to the company. Bombardier expects full certification of the system -- which is designed to enhance a pilot's vision at night and in reduced visibility -- by July. Bombardier added that EASA also completed its testing in March and the company anticipates approval by the third quarter of 2005. Bombardier's system is based on the Thales Enhanced Vision Flight System (EFVS) and is designed to take advantage of FAR 91.175, which addresses EFVS operations and allows 100-foot landing minima. Bombardier says its BEVS will be available to all Bombardier Global aircraft operators and will be standard equipment on the Global Express XRS, scheduled to enter service in first quarter of 2006. The system is available as an option on the Bombardier Global 5000 and as a retrofit for Bombardier Global Express aircraft. "This approval will allow pilots to operate the BEVS under all flight conditions including visual reference in approaches where natural elements cause low to zero visibility. Overall, Global aircraft operators using BEVS will benefit from increased safety and the flexibility that comes with access to more airports," said Peter Edwards, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.

Airbus Sells A340-600 Bizjet

What do you get for the business-jet owner who has everything? The world's longest airliner, completed in a VIP configuration, of course. So it is for Jeddah-based National Air Services, a private non-governmental business group in Saudi Arabia, which Airbus this month said had acquired an Airbus A340-600. Delivery of the “green” jet is planned for end-2006; the completion center has not yet been named. The ultra-long-range A340-600 is presently the world's longest airliner -- presumably until the A380 goes into operation -- and is widely used on intercontinental routes by carriers in Europe, Asia and North America. And the -600 Airbus recently closed on isn't the first A340 to see private, executive service: VIP versions of its predecessors -- the A340-200 and -300 -- are already in service. ”While our biggest market is for aircraft such as the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), there is a need for larger VIP aircraft, as the Saudi Arabian commitment demonstrates,” says Airbus Vice President of Private and Executive Aviation Richard Gaona.

Cessna, PWC Offer Power-By-The-Hour Program For Citations

Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) and Cessna this month announced an agreement to offer the engine manufacturer's PowerAdvantage Plus (PA+) program, an expanded by-the-hour maintenance program, for Cessna Citation operators. The joint program is designed to provide Cessna Citation operators a cost-effective way to cover and insure against the cost of parts, rental engines and engine shop labor, plus certain consumables, in operating their aircraft, and includes PWC's engine condition trend monitoring. Aircraft models covered under the program include the Citation Bravo, Encore, Sovereign and Mustang, powered respectively by P&WC’s PW530A, PW535A, PW306C and PW615F engine models. “We have a long-standing relationship with Cessna and the fleet of P&WC-powered Cessna aircraft is one of our largest," said Benoit Brossoit, vice president of Service Centres for P&WC. "Supporting the fleet with the best available programs is our priority and this new initiative solidifies our commitment to provide operators with the highest quality of services,” Brossoit said.

Bombardier Flexjet Earns Seventh Diamond Award

Bombardier Flexjet, the fractional ownership program of Bombardier Aerospace, last week said it had earned the FAA's Diamond Award -- the agency's highest award for excellence in aviation maintenance training -- for the seventh consecutive year. The FAA awards program was established to encourage and recognize the highest standards of maintenance training. "We are delighted that Flexjet's leadership in maintenance training continues to be singled out by the FAA as outstanding, for the seventh year in a row," said Michael McQuay, president of Bombardier Aircraft Services. Under the program, employees receive FAA Aviation Maintenance Training (AMT) awards based on their number of maintenance training hours achieved each calendar year. In turn, employer awards are based on the percentage of employees who earn FAA Aviation Maintenance Training awards. To qualify for an Employer Diamond Award, at least 25 percent of an employer's technicians must have received an award that year. In the past calendar year, 68 percent of all Flexjet maintenance technicians earned an FAA Aviation Maintenance Training award.

More Maintenance: Raytheon Gets First NetJets Award

Fractional operator NetJets recently recognized Raytheon Aircraft Company's Little Rock, Ark., facility for outstanding performance, Raytheon said last week. The facility, which performs scheduled maintenance on NetJets' fleet of Hawker 400XP, Hawker 800XP and Hawker 1000 aircraft, consistently achieved top-level results from NetJets management and operations teams, according to the company. The NetJets award was created "to recognize its partners and suppliers for their role in supporting" NetJets' fleet. It is based on performance, quality, reliability and meeting customer needs, according to Raytheon. Raytheon's receipt of the award marks the first time is has been issued. "We appreciate all that our partners do every day to help make NetJets a success; this is one way for NetJets to recognize consistent results and ensure continued performance," said Don Crauswell, director of Fleet Base Maintenance for NetJets Inc. NetJets said it intends to "float" the trophy to each quarterly winner, with the next award announcement scheduled for July based on performance during the second quarter. NetJets also plans to issue an annual award that recognizes the most consistent performance throughout the year.

Bombardier Sells First Challenger 850 Corporate Shuttle

Bombardier this month confirmed the first sale from its recently announced corporate shuttle program, a Challenger 850 corporate shuttle, to a customer in Eastern Europe. As designed, the new aircraft will move the company's employees between operation sites within Europe. "The Challenger corporate shuttle family has been generating serious market interest and we are particularly pleased to announce this first sale so soon following its launch just three weeks ago," said Peter Edwards, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft. "This [sale] also reinforces Bombardier's strong presence in the former CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and in Russia, where our superior products and broad platform offering has made our company the de facto leader in this fast growing market." Bombardier's three new corporate shuttle models -- the Bombardier Challenger 850, 870 and 890 -- are derived from the company's line of regional airline jets. Each model is available in three cabin configurations: Standard, Deluxe and Split Cabin, with the flexibility to meet the wide-ranging needs of corporate shuttle operators.

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