The unveiling of General Electric’s Affinity engine for Aerion’s AS2 here at NBAA is the strongest signal yet that the era of supersonic business aviation is finally getting underway.
Civil supersonic jet developers and would-be operators have been boosted by FAA reauthorization legislation agreed to by House and Senate committee leaders that appears to pave the way for a supersonic renaissance.
Michigan-based Avfuel, citing its investment of “considerable time and capital,” is offering cost-effective “and even free” online training on fuel safety and quality assurance for FBO personnel, trucking companies and aircraft operators.
The world’s largest fractional operator, NetJets, has reaffirmed its commitment to Bombardier’s Global 7500 ultra-long-range, high-speed business jet, and will take delivery of the first one in 2021.
Japan is represented in force at this year’s convention, committed to spreading the word that the country is eager to accept both business air travelers and tourists.
Virgin Group and Japan Airlines are among those committed to the $200 million, 45-/55-seat, Mach 2.2 airliner, the former company additionally a possibility for building up to 60 per year in a new plant in California.
Newest Aerion team member Honeywell will play a critical role in helping position the A2 supersonic aircraft in the correct atmospheric conditions to ensure that when it is flying at Mach 1-plus overland, no sonic boom ever reaches the ground.
TAC Air is touting history as it invests $140 million to refurbish a 60-year-old Braniff facility at Dallas Love Field (KDAL), resulting in a new FBO and a consolidating facility for fractional operator Flexjet. TAC Air cites the Texas Historic Commission as a partner as it repurposes a DalFort Aerospace building originally known as the Braniff Airlines Operations and Maintenance Base.
Flight tracking data provider FlightAware has added space-based surveillance coverage to its ground network of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast receivers and announced Rockwell Collins ARINCDirect as its first partner for the enhanced offering to business aviation.
Duncan Aviation and Gogo Business Aviation recently developed a new STC for installing the Gogo ST 4300 Iridium Satcom Satellite Telecommunication System configuration for FANS-1/A+ in a Bombardier Challenger 605.
BBA Aviation, parent company of component OEM and MRO provider Ontic, has confirmed the acquisition of Firstmark, an aftermarket services provider of components and subsystems, for $97 million.
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion has officially launched preliminary design of its 12-seater, Mach 1.4-capable AS2 and revealed ambitions to develop bigger and faster follow-on variants, including potential commercial models.
A new Aviation Week Intelligence Network forecast predicts worldwide deliveries of 8,683 business jets and 2,877 turboprops from 2019-2028, exhibiting a 1.4% annual growth rate.
Big-cabin jets—ranging from super midsize through business liner classes—over the next five years represent 62% of the units and 87% of the value of planned new jet purchases in 2018 dollars.
Bombardier’s new Global 5500 and Global 6500 long-range business jets have completed 70% of their flight testing and are on track for delivery in 2019.
The cockpit of the future is here today with augmented reality, a wearable head-up display and point-and-click access to flight information triggered by the pilot’s eye movements.
Satcom Direct will cement the company’s position as a single end-to-end source for all business aviation connectivity needs, from infrastructure and hardware to cybersecurity.
With the FAA’s January 2020 mandate to equip for automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) out position reporting coming closer into view, Rockwell Collins will announce business jet additions to its approved model list supplemental type certificate for complying avionics at this year’s NBAA conference.
Brian Proctor, Founder, President and CEO, Mente Group LLC, Addison, Texas, and president of the International Aircraft Dealers Association is interviewed by William Garvey.
