EBACE 2022

Eviation readies for Alice maiden sortie as ground tests wrap up

Eviation is gearing up for the first flight of its all-electric Alice prototype in the coming months having completed ground testing earlier in May.

Rolls-Royce powers ahead with Pearl programme pair

Rolls-Royce is accelerating testing of its Pearl 10X business aviation engine for the Dassault Falcon 10X as it closes in on certification for the Gulfstream G700-powering Pearl 700.

How sustainability has risen up the business aviation agenda

A quick glance at the conference sessions at this year’s EBACE leaves visitors in no doubt about the topic of the day: sustainability. About half of all the sessions have a green focus ranging across strategy, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon offsetting, efficiency, standards, and training.

Embraer punches up in business aviation

The head of the Brazilian airframer’s executive jets division has high hopes for Europe as its best-selling types continue to thrive in the fractional market and elsewhere

Business aviation on a high as sector readies for EBACE return

As the European business aviation convention returns for the first time in three years, many believe prospects for the sector are stronger than at any time since 2007.

Coming down the line: business aviation’s key programmes

Ahead of the first EBACE gathering since 2019, we review business aviation’s most important current development efforts.

ZeroAvia targets Cessna Grand Caravan for fuel cell conversion

Advanced powertrain developer ZeroAvia has selected the Cessna Grand Caravan as the launch platform for its ZA600 hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, with certification targeted for 2025.

Lilium waits on ‘Pegasus’ to pinpoint jet’s performance

Lilium’s new chief executive says the start-up remains confident that it can obtain European certification in 2025 for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet.

Lilium achieves full transition with Phoenix 2 demonstrator

German start-up Lilium has completed the first full transition from hover to wing-borne flight at 100kt (185km/h) using its Phoenix 2 unmanned demonstrator aircraft.

Bombardier opens new service centre in Melbourne, Australia

Bombardier has opened a new service centre at Essendon Fields Airport in Melbourne, Australia, adding to its support footprint in the Asia-Pacific.

Gulfstream pitches G400 at large-cabin market ‘sweet spot’

Eyeing a lucrative gap in the market for a 4,200nm-range jet with large-cabin comfort, Gulfstream has embarked on its G400 development with lofty expectations.

Why Vertical Aerospace is still riding high as eVTOL sector matures

UK start-up Vertical Aerospace is among a small group of pioneers driving the development of eVTOL platforms for market entry later this decade – but can it maintain momentum?

Business aviation readies for its first NBAA Orlando gathering since 2018

An upbeat trend in business aviation usage is continuing as the community prepares for its annual US get together at the National Business Aviation Association’s BACE event in Orlando.

Business aviation’s new long-range leaders battle supply chain worries

Divergence between supply and demand has left manufacturers of large-cabin business jets with flush backlogs – and plenty of problems that need solving.

Air taxi start-up Kittyhawk shuts down

Silicon Valley-based air taxi developer Kittyhawk has decided to close its doors after more than 10 years.

Learjet crashes into San Diego Bay

A private jet crashed into San Diego Bay on 9 September after attempting to land at a nearby airfield.

Dala Air picks PC-12 pair for air ambulance operations

Kazakhstan’s Dala Air has ordered a pair of Pilatus PC-12 NGX single-engined turboprops to perform air ambulance missions.

Radio-silent Citation II crashes in Baltic Sea after flying far beyond destination

Latvian authorities have confirmed that a Cessna Citation II crashed off the country’s coast after continuing to fly out-of-contact for some 2h beyond its destination.

FAA approves 100-octane unleaded aviation fuel, hastening shift from leaded gas

US regulators have approved the use of a 100-octane unleaded fuel in all spark-ignition aviation engines, a move the general aviation industry says will help its transition away from leaded fuel.

Business aviation needs better SAF education to boost use, argues industry panel

Business aviation must do more to educate users and owners of private aircraft about sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), if it is to avoid punitive government regulation, according to a panel of industry experts.

US moves to seize 737 BBJ, citing Russian sanctions violation

The US government is seeking to seize a Boeing 737 business jet owned by Moscow-based oil and gas company Lukoil due to alleged violations of US-imposed sanctions against Russia.

Dassault revises 7X and 8X manuals over slat-extension snag

Operators of Dassault Falcon 7X and 8X executive jets have been instructed urgently to amend the aircraft’s flight manual, owing to a technical issue relating to slats.

Airport disruption ‘accelerating’ move to business aviation: Bombardier

Airport disruption is prompting more first-class airline passengers to switch to private aviation, continuing a trend that began during the pandemic.

Eviation prepares for first flight of all-electric Alice in coming weeks

Eviation is tracking towards a first flight, likely next month, of its all-electric Alice aircraft and is running ground tests of the prototype at its Moses Lake test base.

CAE and Piper develop conversion kit for popular trainer aircraft

Canadian training specialist CAE will join Piper Aircraft to develop a conversion kit for the popular Archer trainer aircraft, and bring an electric variant option to market.

Fresh off first flight, Gulfstream showcases G800 at Farnborough

Gulfstream has an impressive line-up of business jets at this year’s Farnborough air show, and has its latest and largest business jet, the G800, parked nearby at the company’s Farnborough airport service centre.