New Airplanes Announced, First Flights Completed, And Some Significant Shifts In The Biz-Av Landscape

One of the year’s biggest business aviation stories came late in the year, as Textron bought Beechcraft, keeping the legacy U.S. planemaker under U.S. control. China got Enstrom helicopters, and AgustaWestland showed off its new, innovative tiltrotor aircraft. A bevy of new bizjets were announced, made first flights, or were certified in the past year. Here are some of the stories from the realm of business aviation during 2013.

January

Enstrom Helicopter Under New Ownership
China gobbled up another aircraft manufacturer. Word comes from Enstrom that as of December 27, 2012, Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co., Ltd (CQHIC), located in Chongqing, China has acquired Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, moving from one foreign owner to another.

Robinson’s Production Tops 500 In 2012 
2012 turned out to be a good one for Robinson helicopter. Despite a sluggish economy, the company posted a significant production increase over the previous year, with the majority of sales being racked up overseas.

Indiana Student Wins Second Annual Sikorsky Helicopter 2050 Challenge
Sikorsky Aircraft and By Kids For Kids Co., an organization that inspires kids to become successful inventors, last month awarded the Igor Sikorsky Youth Innovator Award to an Indiana teenager for his conceptual design of a circular-shaped medical evacuation helicopter.

Gulfstream Adding 100 Jobs In Appleton, WI
Gulfstream announced plans to increase employment at its Appleton, WI, facility by approximately 100 positions to support growing volume in completions work for Gulfstream large-cabin aircraft, including the G650. 

FAA Publishes Modified Noise Rules For Tiltrotors 
The FAA has published a rule in the Federal Register governing noise certification standards for issuing type and airworthiness certificates for a new civil, hybrid airplane-rotorcraft known as the tiltrotor.

February

Bankruptcy Judge Approves Most Of HBCs Joint Plan Of Reorganization
Following its appearance in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Thursday for the Southern District of New York, Hawker Beechcraft said in a statement that Judge Stuart M. Bernstein said he would approve the Joint Plan of Reorganization (Plan) for all but one of its subsidiaries currently under Chapter 11 protection.

First Anti-Drone Laws Passed In Virginia 
A city in Virginia became the first in the nation to ban its municipal agencies from using information gathered by UAVs it owns, leases, or borrows in Federal and state courts.

Gulfstream G280 Certified By EASA
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s G280 aircraft received type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

CA Delegation Reintroduces Helicopter Noise Bill
The fight over helicopter flight corridors in the Los Angeles area is about to heat up again. Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and California Senators Dianne Feinstein (D) and Barbara Boxer (D) have introduced legislation that would require the FAA to establish specific, restrictive flight corridors for helicopter traffic over the city.

New Community Airport Opens In Tennessee
A new community airport opened in Cleveland, TN, about 30 miles northeast of Chattanooga. The Cleveland Regional Jetport (KRZR) replaces nearby Hardwick Field, where the runway couldn’t be extended to accommodate larger general aviation aircraft.

AgustaWestland's Bruno Spagnolini Removed From Position As Scandal Grows
The bribery probe that cost Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi his job led to the ouster of AgustaWestland head Bruno Spagnolini as an investigation into a deal with the Indian government deepened.

March

AgustaWestland Unveils Revolutionary 'Project Zero'
AgustaWestland has unveiled its “Project Zero” tilt rotor technology demonstrator, giving an insight into what advanced rotorcraft of the future may look like. This, however, is no paper study.

First New Citation Sovereign Rolls Out Of Cessna Assembly
The first production New Citation Sovereign rolled off Cessna's production line in the company's Wichita, KS, manufacturing facility. The New Citation Sovereign is one of six new Cessna aircraft expected to hit the market this year.

UAV Industry Poised To Create 70,000 New Jobs In The U.S. In Three Years
A new study by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) finds that the unmanned aircraft industry is poised to create more than 70,000 new American jobs in the first three years following the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into U.S. national airspace system (NAS).

First Eclipse 550 Powered Up
Eclipse Aerospace celebrated a major production milestone ... the first power up of the new production Eclipse 550 Twin-Engine Jet. The first production Eclipse 550 aircraft successfully powered up its two Pratt & Whitney PW610F engines, and the aircraft systems came on line at the company’s facility in Albuquerque, NM.  The company later in the month was granted an amended Production Certificate authorizing the final assembly, test, and certification of the new airplane by the FAA.
  
Lawmaker Highlights Small Business Impact From Aircraft Tax-Change Proposal 
The possible negative consequences from altering the tax-depreciation schedule for general aviation aircraft were recently highlighted by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) during a hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2014 budget.

April

Embraer Executive Jets Delivers 1st U.S.-Made Phenom 300
Embraer delivered the first Phenom 300 assembled at its Melbourne, FL facility to a customer who asked to remain anonymous. Phil Krull,  Managing Director Melbourne Assembly, Embraer Executive Jets, called the delivery a major milestone that "proves the maturity of our assembly facilities."

Pipistrel's Exotic Panthera Achieves First Flight
One of the most exotic new airframes promised for the experimental (and eventually, certificated) aviation biz, has pulled off its first flight without difficulty.

New Citation X First Production Unit Makes Debut
The first production unit of the new Citation X has been rolled out at Cessna's Wichita, KS, manufacturing facility. First announced at NBAA in 2010, the new airplane is best known for its top speed of Mach 0.935.

Successful Unmanned EC145 Demonstration Flights Conducted At Istres, France
Eurocopter’s ability to integrate unmanned flight capabilities into its helicopter family has been validated by an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) demonstration program, which used an EC145 to fly routes that included deployment of an external sling load and a representative observation mission.

May

Cessna's New Citation Sovereign Makes First Production Flight
Cessna's new Citation Sovereign recently made its first production flight. The flight of the new Sovereign lasted a little more than two and a half hours and included tests of the Garmin G5000 avionics with auto throttles, autopilot, engine system, aircraft systems and instrument approaches.

AW169 Helicopter Final Assembly Line To Be Established In Philadelphia
A final assembly line for the new generation AW169 helicopter will be established at AgustaWestland's Philadelphia facility located at Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

FAA Grants Phenom 300 Production Certificate For Melbourne, FL
In a ceremony at Embraer Executive Jets’ Melbourne Campus, the FAA presented Embraer a Production Certificate to assemble Phenom 300s in the United States.

Pilatus Presents Its Latest Flagship, The PC-24 Twin-Jet 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. unveiled its newest airplane ... the PC-24 ... which it says is the "world's first 'Super Versatile Jet'."

Nextant Unveils 400XTi 
Nextant Aerospace has unveiled its latest model. The Nextant 400XTi, which will continue to retail at $4.95 million, takes the company’s passion for innovation and value to new heights, setting the standard for best-in-class performance, comfort and efficiency.

FAA Expands Size Of Protected Airspace For Circling Approaches
For nearly 20 years, the aviation industry has expressed to the FAA its concern over spatial limitations of circle-to-land approaches. These safety concerns have been raised by industry representatives who suggest that the amount of protected airspace allowed for aircraft maneuvering throughout a circling approach is insufficient.

June

Certified, Eh?: Canada Certifies Robinson R66 Turbine
Transport Canada issued its type certificate for the R66. Thirteen U.S. registered R66 helicopters are currently operating in Canada, and Robinson will deliver another thirteen by the end of this year.

FAA Approves Eclipse Jet Extended Service Life 
The FAA has approved the extension of the service life of the Eclipse 500 & 550 aircraft to 20,000 hours / 20,000 cycles with unlimited calendar life. This provides the typical Eclipse Jet owner with over 50 years of safe operation.

Eurocopter’s X3 Hybrid Helicopter Makes Aviation History 
The Eurocopter X3 hybrid helicopter has opened the frontiers of aviation by attaining a speed milestone of 255 knots in level flight on June 7. Several days before this accomplishment, theX3 reached a speed of 263 knots during a descent.

Bell Helicopter To Re-Enter The Short Light Single Market 
Bell Helicopter said it will be returning to the short light single (SLS) engine helicopter market with a new product designed to specifications based on the input of a customer advisory council. Bell Helicopter’s new, five-seat entry-level aircraft is expected to complete its first flight in 2014 with certification to follow as quickly as possible.

New Generation AW189 Helicopter Enters Full Scale Production 
The newest member of the AgustaWestland helicopter line entered into full scale production. Daniele Romiti, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “We are proud to achieve this major milestone on schedule."

July

Embraer Executive Jets' Phenom 300 To Spread Wings In China
Embraer Executive Jets announced that a Phenom 300 light executive jet will join the fleet of China’s Erdos General Aviation Co., Ltd. in the third quarter of 2013, marking the first aircraft of this model sold in the Chinese market.

Deliveries Begin For Cessna TTx 
The first production Cessna TTx airplanes were delivered following a ceremony at the Cessna facility in Independence, KS.

Sales Of Pre-Owned Business Jets, Turboprops Slows
JETNET released May 2013 and the first five months of 2013 results for the pre-owned business jet, business turboprop, helicopter and Commercial Airliner markets. Comparing May 2013 to May 2012, “Fleet For Sale” percentages for business jet and business turboprop market sectors were down, but increased slightly in the helicopter markets.

San Francisco Lawmakers Seek To Ban Aerial Advertising 
Two members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors say aerial advertising should be banned over the city.

FAA Issues Restricted Category Type Certificates For UAS 
The FAA has issued restricted category type certificates to a pair of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), a milestone that will lead to the first approved commercial UAS operations later this summer.

August

Beechcraft Secures Largest GA Prop Aircraft Order In History
Beechcraft Corporation has secured an order for up to a total of 105 King Air 350i aircraft, valued at $788 million, from Wheels Up, representing the largest general aviation propeller driven aircraft order in history. The company that placed that order is Wheels Up, which Kenny Dichter, Founder of Marquis Jet and innovator of the first 25-hour fractional jet card, says will transform the private aviation industry.

Eurocopter To Become Airbus Helicopter
European aerospace giant EADS has announced it will rename its Eurocopter division "Airbus Helicopters" in a move it says reflects the global success of the brand.

Wheels Up For First Production Citation M2
Cessna celebrated Friday as the first production unit of its newest business jet, the Citation M2, took its maiden flight out of the company’s Independence, KS, facility.

Safety Helicopter Steering Group Says Super Puma Helos Airworthy 
In a meeting that continued a review of its decision to recommend the temporary suspension of AS332 L/L1, AS332 L2 and EC225 commercial passenger flights to and from offshore oil and gas installations within the UK, the Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) recommended lifting of the temporary suspension of the models.

Sikorsky Announces Major Research Program 
Sikorsky has unveiled a major research program — designated MATRIX Technology — to develop, test and field systems and software that will improve significantly the capability, reliability and safety of flight for autonomous, optionally piloted, and piloted vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

September 

AgustaWestland, Russian Helicopters Agree To Develop A New 2.5t Helicopter 
Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec, and AgustaWestland have signed a Heads of Agreement at the MAKS 2013 air show defining the joint design and development program for a new 2.5-metric-tonne class single-engine helicopter.

Flexjet, LLC Places Order For Up To 245 Bombardier Business Aircraft 
Bombardier announced that it had reached a definitive agreement for the sale of Flexjet's activities to Flexjet, LLC, a newly-created company funded by a group led by Directional Aviation Capital. 

Eurocopter To Establish US AS350 Final Assembly Line 
Beginning in 2014, Eurocopter will install the necessary industrial capabilities to upgrade the American Eurocopter plant in Columbus, MS, to a final assembly and test site for Eurocopter AS350 helicopters.

Two Robinson R66s Fly Around The World 
On September 15th, a pair of Robinson R66 Turbine helicopters landed at the Bunkovo Heliport, just outside of Moscow, marking the end of a six-week, Around-the-World Expedition. The historic flight was a first for the R66 and for Russia.

FAA Opens The Arctic To Commercial Small Unmanned Aircraft
A research vessel plying the icy waters of the Chukchi Sea above the Arctic Circle seems an odd place for a Federal Aviation Administration employee. But that’s exactly where Alaskan Region inspector Jay Skaggs was on September 12.

October

Cessna Bizjet Skids Off Santa Monica Runway, Impacts Hangar 
A Cessna Citation apparently blew a tire on landing at Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) in California Sunday, causing the airplane to skid off the runway and impact a hangar. At least three people believed to be aboard the Citation were fatally injured in the post-accident fire.

First Production AW189 Performs Its Maiden Flight 
The first production AW189 twin engine helicopter performed its maiden flight at Vergiate plant (Italy) Thursday. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. by year end to carry out offshore transport missions in the North Sea, with operational readiness planned in early 2014.

Dassault Aviation Unveils Falcon 5X 
Dassault Aviation has unveiled its biggest and most advanced Falcon jet. The Falcon 5X is a new-generation business jet with new a flight control system, new aerodynamics and other advanced technologies, many pioneered in Dassault’s military programs.

Flexjet Extends Bombardier Order 
Flexjet has added 30 firm orders for the Learjet 85 to its already-record-breaking purchase of the aircraft. Bombardier announced today that Flexjet, LLC has placed 30 new firm orders for Learjet 85 aircraft.

Eclipse 550 Jet Debuts At NBAA 
Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. (EAI) proudly unveiled the first new production Eclipse 550 twin-engine jet at the 2013 National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday at the Eclipse booth on the convention center floor.

Nextant Aerospace Signs $202.5 Million 400XTi Conversion Deal With TMC
Nextant Aerospace has announced a deal with Travel Management Company Ltd (“TMC”) for the conversion of its entire Hawker 400XP fleet.

Bell Helicopter Unveils the Bell 429WLG At NBAA 2013 
Bell Helicopter displayed the Bell 429WLG for the first time at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 2013 conference in Las Vegas this week.

Embraer Executive Jets Introduces The Lineage 1000E
Embraer Executive Jets announced during a press conference at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2013, the introduction of the Lineage 1000E executive jet.

November

FAA Verifies Citation X Speed 
Cessna recently concluded all high-speed certification flights with the FAA on the new Citation X. This marks the completion of all testing requirements needed to validate the aircraft’s unmatched maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935 (536 ktas), solidifying the Citation X’s position as the fastest civilian aircraft in the world.

Bombardier Announces First U.S. 'Superscooper' Aircraft Sale 
Bombardier has announced the sale and delivery of its 50th iconic Bombardier 415 superscooper aircraft assembled at its North Bay, Ontario facility. The aircraft, purchased by a partnership led by Tenax Aerospace, LLC of Ridgeland, Mississippi, will be used under contract to the United States Forest Service.

NTSB Issues Prelim In Kansas Citation Accident 
The NTSB has issued a preliminary report stemming from an accident near Derby, KS involving a Cessna Citation which impacted the ground in a near-vertical dive, according to witnesses.

FAA Certifies Learjet 75 
The FAA has granted certification for Bombardier's Learjet 75 aircraft. FAA certification for Learjet 75 aircraft was received on November 14, 2013.

NTSB Releases Prelim In Accident That Fatally Injured Dr. Perry Inhofe 
The NTSB issued its preliminary report in an accident November 10 that fatally injured Dr. Perry Inhofe, the son of Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe.

December

Glasgow Police Accident Helicopter Shows No Signs Of Mechanical Failure
The U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch has released an initial report from an accident in which a Glasgow Police helicopter came down on the roof of a pub, resulting in the fatal injury of at least nine people.

Bombardier Sells Flexjet
Bombardier has closed the sale of Flexjet's activities to Flexjet, LLC, a newly-created company funded by a group led by Directional Aviation Capital. The previously announced total consideration of $185 million US, following purchase price adjustments, is now estimated at $195 million, including the assumption of an estimated $70 million US of customer advances by the acquirer.

Textron Buys Beech... $1.4 Billion Christmas Purchase 
Scott Donnelly and Textron pulled the trigger and bought Beechcraft, less than a year after the GA and BizAv planemaker emerged from bankruptcy with the intention to retool itself as a piston and turbine manufacturer -- and get out of the jet business.

FAA Certifies Cessna M2, Sovereign+
The FAA certified Cessnas's latest business jets on the same day, and deliveries to the first customers of the airplanes are already underway.

First Flight: Embraer Legacy 450
The newest bizjet in the Embraer Executive Jets' stable, the Legacy 450, made a successful first flight December 28.

FMI: www.aero-news.net