We've known about this for a while, but we'll admit to being
quite pleasantly surprised at how nice it seems to be turning out.
What we're speaking of, of course, is Piper's massive new
announcement... their long-awaited, if unconventional, entry into
the jet business.
Jim Campbell's discussion with Piper Aircraft President / CEO Jim Bass is such big news, it's covered by a non-disclosure agreement until 11am Eastern Time!
The Piaggio Company started in 1884 when the Italian company
built interiors for passenger ships and trains. In 1915, the
company began manufacturing aircraft... and in 1925 started
building aircraft engines. The company has a long tradition in both
fixed wing and rotary aircraft -- Piaggio's first helicopter flew
in 1938.
Aerion is pursuing a two-track program in its efforts to bring
supersonic flight back to the commercial sector. Engineers continue
to refine and test the design, and have provided greater detail in
technical briefings to potential partners. Meanwhile, the company
continues to build its business case, providing a more detailed
financial picture of the costs, risks and rewards involved in
program participation.
Also Announces Training Joint Venture With CAE SimulFlite
Embraer announced Monday at NBAA 2006 that it will build three
new service centers in the U.S. dedicated to full-service care for
the Phenom 100, Phenom 300 and Legacy 600 aircraft. A fourth
service center will be built in 2007, at the Le Bourget airport, in
Paris, France. The investment for the new facilities will total
around US $40 million.
In today's government ruled by the bureaucrats, even the
President's signature isn't good enough. Luckily, the FAA didn't
feel like arguing, so the law repealing the Wright Admendment is
now official.
He Said, She Said Gives DOT Something To Mull Over
The mud's flying between airlines applying for what could be a
highly lucrative route to China, and we're not talking about the
coffee they're serving in coach.
Company Focused On Big Planes... And Little Ones, Too
Cessna will be celebrating its 80th year in aviation in 2007. At
NBAA 2006, Jack Pelton, CEO of Cessna, said that "Cessna is looking
toward the future" -- and that future rests heavily on the Citation
Mustang to propel the company into its next 80 years.
At NBAA 2006, TAG Aviation USA reports its client flight
activity and fleet growth continued strong through the third
quarter of 2006, with record levels of new client activity.
Pratt & Whitney Canada tells ANN that it has
delivered more than 50 of its PW600 new generation turbofan
engines, currently powering the Cessna Mustang and the Eclipse
500 VLJs. "Our production ramp-up of PW615F and PW610F engines
is firmly on track and deliveries to both Cessna and Eclipse are
rapidly gaining altitude," said Andrew Tanner, vice president,
Business Aviation, P&WC.
Raytheon officials proudly announced the development of two new
bizjet models Monday at NBAA: the Hawker 900XP and Hawker 750
models, for the mid-size and super-light-mid jet markets,
respectively.
Airbus Corporate Jetliner Outsells Boeing Business Jet
Airbus Vice President of Executive and Private Aviation Sales,
Richard Goana, is perhaps the one executive at Airbus who is
quite optimistic about his prospects.
First Electric Bizjet To Fly High and Then Land High
The world's first fly-by-wire business jet just passed another
milestone on its way towards full certification. A few weeks ago,
it spent several lovely afternoons broiling itself in the hot
Tunisian sun. A few months earlier, it endured the snow and ice of
the Canadian arctic.
Avionics Selected For FOUR New Jets; Certified On LearJet
60XR
Rockwell Collins has reason to celebrate as the first "official"
day of the 2006 National Business Aviation Association Conference
kicks off in Orlando. You see, the avionics manufacturer's popular
and capable Pro Line 21 avionics suite has been selected as
standard equipment on not one... not two, or even three... but FOUR
new bizjet models, coming from two manufacturers.
Cessna's Mustang is feeling its oats... the company has moved
its focus, for the recently certified Citation Mustang, from
development to ramping up for production and customer deliveries
and to gaining European certification.
Downing Aviation Associates (DAA ) announced Monday at NBAA 2006
that Art Manni, a veteran aerospace executive with an
extensive background in business development and leadership roles,
has joined the Phoenix, AZ-based consulting firm as a Senior
Associate.
Avidyne tells ANN that Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, has selected
Avidyne's Entegra next-generation integrated avionics system now in
development for the Spectrum 33 business jet. The Spectrum 33 uses
a highly advanced graphite-epoxy construction process that gives it
the same size cabin as popular eight to nine seat entry-level
business jets, at less than two-thirds the weight.
"I would be happy with any number that is more than 50%
of the market."
Source: Airbus Vice President of Executive and
Private Aviation Sales, Richard Goana, said this Monday during
a press conference at NBAA announcing Airbus' good fortunes against
rival Boeing in the bizjet market. Goana was asked how many ACJs
(Airbus Corporate Jetliners) he was hoping to sell in the future.
He wouldn't give a specific number, but made clear that he
wanted to keep beating rival Boeing. The Airbus A320- derived ACJ
has 20 orders against just ten for Boeing's rival 737-derived
Boeing Business Jet for 2006.