Memphis Part 135 Operator Enters Super Mid-Size Market
AB Jets has acquired three Bombardier Challenger 3500 aircraft, with a contractual option to order a fourth such machine by the end of 2023.
AB Jets founder and co-owner Andrew Bettis set forth: “This fleet expansion represents a milestone in AB Jets’ history. We’re pleased to meet our clients’ demands with a new category of aircraft in the Challenger 3500. These super mid-size jets will bring an extended range and comfort to our fleet, increasing our ability to service our clientele.”
Bombardier executive vice-president of aircraft sales & Bombardier Defense Jean-Christophe Gallagher remarked: “AB Jets were looking to upgrade their offering with the ultimate jet experience, and we are thrilled that they recognized the Challenger 3500 as the aircraft that can provide just that. With our uncompromising commitment to superior performance, an elevated cabin experience, the smoothest ride, and consistent reliability, our jets are the aircraft of choice for operators who want to offer a best-in-class business jet experience to their customers. We are looking forward to being AB Jets’ partner of choice in the exciting new chapter for the company.”
In addition to their primary operations, AB Jets offers supplemental lift services to brokers, flight departments, and operators. Whether providing support during peak demand periods or as a dependable contingency plan, the Bluff City air-carrier has earned a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and passenger service among U.S. Part 135 operators.
AB Jets co-owner and Director of Operations David Turner confided: “With a fleet of nine Learjet 60 aircraft, we’ve been an operator and advocate of Bombardier aircraft for more than twenty-years. Our experience has given us confidence in the quality and performance of the product and the team who delivers it. This step is the natural evolution of our enduring relationship.”
Both high-time pilots with extensive Learjet 60 experience Messrs. Bettis and Turner share a comprehensive understanding of the Part 135 air-carrier industry’s operational, administrative, and regulatory facets.
Introduced in 2021, the Challenger 3500 is a formidable machine capable of transporting up to ten passengers over distances as 3,400-nautical-miles at speeds as high as 0.83 Mach—albeit not contemporaneously. The 3500’s 7,323-lbf. Honeywell HTF730 turbofan engines expediently motivate the 40,600-pound (MGTOW) aircraft directly to 43,000 feet, and—after a bit of fuel-burn—on up to its service ceiling of FL450. At altitude, passengers and crew alike benefit from the newest Challenger’s lowest-in-class cabin-altitude (4,860-feet at FL410) and an environmental system that continuously replenishes the pressure-vessel with fresh-air.
Pilots fortunate enough to fly the Challenger 3500 are treated to a host of cutting-edge technologies, to include a standard auto-throttle system, Head-Up Display (HUD), dual FMS systems with LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance) and RNP (Required Navigation Performance) capabilities, dual IRS, Synthetic Vision, dual SBAS/WAAS (Satellite-Based Augmentation System/Wide Area Augmentation System) GPS, and MultiScan weather radar.
In addition to its numerous cockpit technologies, the Challenger 3500 features voice-controlled cabin lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems; wireless device chargers; and the only 24-inch, 4K display in the super-midsize class.
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