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.

Saxon Air offers Velis Electro pleasure flights to push green agenda, as Pipistrel eyes growth path

A UK business aviation company is spreading the message that aviation can be environmentally friendly, by offering pleasure flights in an electrically-powered Pipistrel Velis Electro.

Dassault Falcon 6X enters service after post-certification delay

Dassault Aviation has confirmed its Falcon 6X entered service on 30 November, just over three months after the jet received US and European certification.

How Hydroplane founder is drawing on her stellar engineering talent

In her role as chief executive of zero-emission general aviation propulsion developer Hydroplane, Anita Sengupta is drawing on some out-of-this-world engineering experience at NASA.

Safety review team says US airspace at “significant risk” for accidents

A comprehensive report by an independent review committee has found the US national airspace system (NAS) and air traffic control organisation (ATO) full of risks for potential accidents.

Surf Air Mobility struggles with Q3 aircraft availability ahead of 2024 deliveries

US start-up Surf Air Mobility reported during its first-ever earnings call a third-quarter loss of $74.6 million amid supply-chain constraints and limited aircraft availability.

ArcosJet to take 10 Lilium Jets as manufacturer extends Pioneer production

Lilium has secured a firm 10-unit order for its Lilium Jet from recently appointed Dubai-based dealer ArcosJet and has also quietly upped the quantity of Pioneer Edition jets it intends to build.

Wheels Up loses $145m in Q3 but aims for operating profit in 2024

Charter aircraft provider Wheels Up lost $145 million in the third quarter of 2023, but executives insist a network overhaul, a partnership with Delta Air Lines and new financing position it to turn operationally profitable next year.

Bombardier thinks its business-jet-focused restructuring is paying off

Bombardier executives are pointing to their company’s third-quarter financial performance as evidence that a turnaround plan started several years ago is working.

Bombardier sticks to 2023 delivery target as other aerospace companies reset expectations

Bombardier still expects to meet its full-year 2023 aircraft delivery target despite supply chain struggles that have prompted other aerospace manufacturers to curtail delivery expectations.

Gulfstream adds manufacturing capacity in Savannah for G400s, G500s and G600s

Gulfstream has completed an expansion in Savannah of the manufacturing facility where it assembles G400, G500 and G600 business jets, leaving the company prepared to increase output.

Brazil’s Embraer delivers 43 jets during the third quarter

Brazilian airframer Embraer delivered 43 jets during the third quarter, 30% more than it did in the same period last year.

NTSB sends team to investigate Houston-Hobby midair collision

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sent a six-person team to investigate an incident in which two business jets collided on 24 October.

Honda Aircraft embarks on campaign to certify Echelon as an HA-420 derivative

Honda Aircraft aims for its in-development HondaJet Echelon to be certified as a variant of its existing HA-420 HondaJet, and for both models to share a common pilot type rating.

Rolls-Royce plans November first flight for Pearl 10X powerplant

Rolls-Royce is targeting November for the first flight of the new Pearl 10X engine that will eventually power Dassault Aviation’s flagship Falcon 10X.

Lilium signs up EMCJET as exclusive dealer in Texas

Lilium has signed up US aircraft broker EMCJET as exclusive dealer for the Lilium Jet in Texas until 2030 in a deal that also sees a commercial agreement for five production slots.

Wheels Up’s new chief executive lays out recovery plan as Delta ties tighten

Just two weeks into the job, the new head of Wheels Up arrives as this year’s NBAA business aviation show with a turnaround plan resting on operational rigour, more corporate business, fleet changes and closer ties with 39% owner Delta Air Lines.

Tecnam closes on certification for short take-off and landing variant of P2012

Italian airframer Tecnam is nearing European certification for the short take-off and landing (STOL) variant of its P2012 Traveller, with first deliveries slated for January next year.

Supply chain issues delay Cassio 330 first flight but VoltAero confident on overall schedule

VoltAero continues working towards a maiden sortie of its initial Cassio 330 prototype but supply chain issues have pushed back the milestone by around six months.

AB Jets orders three Bombardier Challenger 3500 jets

US charter operator AB Jets is adding three super-midsize Bombardier Challenger 3500 jets to its fleet, with the option of ordering a fourth aircraft by the end of 2023.

FlyExclusive named fleet-launch customer for Citation CJ3 Gen2

North Carolina private aviation provider FlyExclusive has been disclosed as the fleet launch customer of Textron Aviation’s newly revealed Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 light jet.