Business Aviation in 2014

Latitude Flies

The first of Cessna’s two new Citations, the mid-size, 2,700-nm-range Latitude made its initial flight in February, with deliveries to begin in 2015. Planned for 2017, the super-mid-size Longitude is getting a second look.
Credit: Cessna Aircraft

Textron Aviation Debuts

With completion of the acquisition of the Beechcraft and Hawker business in March, Textron Aviation was formed to combine them with Cessna and bring the three brands under common management.
Credit: Textron Aviation

Learjet 85 Flies

After a long delay, the all-composite Learjet 85 made its first flight in April—only for Bombardier to slow the program to focus its resources on CSeries and Global 7000/8000. No service-entry date is now given.
Credit: Bombardier

Challenger 350 Delivered

Fractional-ownership company NetJets received the first improved Challenger 350 from Bombardier in May. The revamped super-mid-size jet has uprated engines, enhanced cabin and updated avionics.
Credit: Bombardier

Falcon 8X Unveiled

In May Dassault launched its largest, longest-range business jet, the Falcon 8X, aiming for a first flight early in 2015 and service entry in mid-2016. The stretch of the Falcon 7X will fly 6,450 nm at Mach 0.8.
Credit: Dassault Aviation

Citation X+ Certified

The fastest civil aircraft, at Mach 0.935, Cessna’s upgraded Citation X+ was certificated and delivered to initial customers in June. Winglets, uprated engines, longer cabin and new avionics mark the X+.
Credit: Cessna Aircraft

PC-24 Rolled Out

Following the success of its single-turboprop PC-12, Pilatus rolled out its first business jet, the PC-24, in August. Powered by Williams FJ44s, the light jet is expected to fly early in 2015, for delivery in 2017.
Credit: Pilatus Aircraft

Legacy 500 Certified

With Brazilian certification in August and U.S. approval in October, Embraer began deliveries of the all-new mid-size Legacy 500 in 2014. The fly-by-wire jet is powered by Honeywell HTF7500Es.
Credit: Embraer

Challenger 650 Launched

Bombardier’s long-running large-cabin jet is getting a makeover with the October launch of the Challenger 650, featuring engine, cabin and cockpit upgrades. First flight is in 2015, with deliveries to begin in 2016.
Credit: Bombardier

G500/G600 Launched

Gulfstream launched the all-new G500 and G600 large-cabin jets in October, with Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW800 engine ousting long-time supplier Rolls-Royce. The G500 is to fly in 2015 and enter service in 2018, followed in 2019 by the longer-range, longer-cabin G600.
Credit: Gulfstream Aerospace