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.

Delta and investment partners secure majority ownership of Wheels Up

Charter aircraft provider Wheels Up has closed a deal under which it has secured $450 million in fresh financing from investment partners including Delta Air Lines.

NetJets signs for up to 1,500 Cessna Citation jets in 15-year pact

Fractional operator NetJets could take up to 1,500 Cessna Citation business jets over the next 15 years through a record-breaking fleet agreement with Textron Aviation.

Canadian cabinet shake-up could open door to maritime patrol aircraft contest: Bombardier

Bombardier Defense believes the appointment of a new Canadian defence minister is an opportunity to restate its case that Ottawa should run a contest for its new maritime patrol aircraft fleet.

FAA approves Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines for G700 and G800 business jets

Gulfstream says the Federal Aviation Administration has certificated the Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofans which power its G700 and G800 large-cabin business jets.

Gulfstream bumps G700’s advertised range up to 7,750nm

Business jet maker Gulfstream has bumped up the advertised maximum speed and range of its in-development large-cabin G700, a move coming as the company works to obtain certification for the delayed programme.

Australia’s Torres Strait Air to renew fleet with 10 new-build Britten-Norman Islanders

UK airframer Britten-Norman has secured the latest commitment for its revitalised Islander utility aircraft, with Australian air charter operator Torres Strait Air signing a letter of intent to take 10 examples.

Bombardier reveals cockpit updates for in-service Global business jets

Bombardier has rolled out an avionics update programme for in-service Global-series large-cabin business jets that includes equipping the jets with a “combined vision system”.

Why US aviators are frustrated by broken system

Aviators in the USA are struggling to complete their certifications amid a broken pilot examination system – but can the nation’s regulator fix it at a time of such soaring demand?

How UK training school collapses shattered students’ dreams

A spate of failures at UK flying schools has crushed the career ambitions of dozens of heavily indebted students and led to calls for tighter regulation – at a time when demand for new airline pilots is at a high.

How will a new breed of city flyers train to operate eVTOL aircraft?

With a flurry of eVTOL types on final approach to certification, the focus is turning to those who will pilot them – where they will come from, how they will train, and the challenges urban aviation presents.

Cirrus updates SF50 Vision Jet with ‘Auto Radar’ and data-tracking package

Fifteen years after Cirrus’ SF50 Vision Jet made its maiden flight, and seven years after the first delivery, the company has rolled out upgrades it promises will reduce pilot workload and improve safety.

Delta and investment partners to acquire 95% of Wheels Up with $400m in funding

Delta Air Lines and several investment partners are set to own 95% of Wheels Up’s stock by providing the struggling private aviation company with $400 million in fresh financial aid.

Textron’s Pipistrel zeroes in on US trainer aircraft market

With a new FAA rule set to expand the definition of “light sport aircraft”, Slovenia’s Pipistrel is taking clear aim at the US pilot training market

Icon eyes international orders as FAA certification imminent

Icon Aircraft’s A5 is ready for international prime time, and with the FAA’s certification as a primary category aircraft seemingly imminent, it hopes to soon sell at least a quarter of its airframes outside the USA.

Embraer delivers 47 jets during the second quarter

Brazilian airframer Embraer delivered 47 jets during the second quarter, 47% more than it did in the same period last year.

Bombardier ‘on track’ to hit 138-aircraft delivery target

Bombardier chief executive Eric Martel is “totally comfortable” about hitting the company’s 2023 delivery target of 138 aircraft, after today announcing second quarter results that show the Canadian business jet manufacturer’s recovery on track.

Flexjet gets deeper into MRO with Flying Colours buy

Fractional ownership firm Flexjet has bought Canadian maintenance, repair and overhaul company Flying Colours to bring more of its MRO activities in house and differentiate itself from its rivals.

Aviation industry descends on ‘world’s largest general aviation gathering’ in Oshkosh

During the summer, the aviation industry calendar is packed with events, airshows, conferences and trade fairs. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is graddaddy to them all.

Oskar Schwenk: the visionary behind Pilatus

Oskar Schwenk, who has died aged 78, almost exactly two years after relinquishing the leadership of Pilatus, transformed the Swiss manufacturer into one of the industry’s most successful and admired niche players, producing three very different aircraft widely considered the best in their segment, the PC-12, the PC-21, and the PC-24.

Dassault on cusp of Falcon 6X certification

European certification of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 6X is imminent, with achievement of the milestone “a question of a few days”, says the airframer’s chief executive.