OEMs Make Big Moves into MRO

Business jet manufacturers are taking giant steps into the MRO realm as they seek to tap into new revenue streams, as well as address ongoing capacity and supply constraints. “It’s a whole new way of looking at business,” said Ken Thompson, managing director of regulatory affairs for the National Air Transportation Association.

These moves are necessary to increase capacity because the business jet fleet is growing. But so too are the sizes of aircraft.

BJT: Nine Cabin-worthy Wines

Nothing beats flying in a private jet—except perhaps flying in a private jet with a glass of wine in your hand. Not any wine will do, however: you can lose an estimated 10 percent of your sense of taste aboard pressurized aircraft, due to low humidity and cabin altitude, and some vintages fare better inflight than others.

These expert picks meet the challenge.

From the Archives: Gulfstream G650ER Pilot Report

To say that Gulfstream Aerospace’s timing on the G650/G650ER could not have been better would be an understatement. The airplane tapped into a market that was shying away from smaller jets and eager for a large-cabin ultra-long-range jet that could connect city pairs never before considered.

The G650 also represents a transition for Gulfstream, into the realm of fly-by-wire (FBW) flight controls. While such a move was inevitable—every major business jet OEM has fielded or is developing FBW jets—the G650 is unusual because it’s likely the only FBW Gulfstream that will ever feature the traditional yoke-operated flight controls. The FBW G500 and G600 launched after the G650 are equipped with active-control sidesticks.

Sponsor Content: C&L Aviation

What is an ERJ 135, 140 & 145 Semi-Private Jet Conversion?

Looking to offer your passengers a first-class experience with a “hop-on” jet service? There’s a variety of customizable options available for converting an ERJ 135, 140, or 145 to a semi-private aircraft—from complete interior reconfiguration to unique exterior paint—to make your jet service stand out above the rest.

Charter Broker Vertis Says Africa Is Now 'On the Map'

Africa remains an important part of the business of Swiss charter broker Vertis Aviation, which saw its best-ever year in 2022, CEO Jeffrey Emmenis told AIN.

Several factors drove the company's increased business, he said, including the number of customers traveling for leisure. “That was very big for us," Emmenis noted. "Customers on the business side, particularly in Africa, flying to more remote locations...We look after a number of heads of state and there was a lot of travel as governments started opening up and doing business. I see a little bit of softening in 2023, but it will still be quite impressive.”

BJT: Basics of Flying Privately

The worldwide fleet of business aircraft included 23,505 jets and 15,903 turboprops by the end of 2022—an increase of nearly 20,000 airplanes since 2000. That means more and more travelers are waving goodbye to long security lines, lost-luggage worries, frequent delays, and all the other hassles that go with commercial flights.

To anyone who has experienced private aviation, the trend isn’t surprising. As political consultant James Carville once told Business Jet Traveler, “If I had to fly commercial and could stay in a suite in the top of a hotel or take a private plane and stay in just a room, I’d say, ‘Give me the plane.’ Once you have sipped the sweet nectar of freedom, you don’t go back.” Here are the options to sip that nectar yourself.

FutureFlight: Archer, Wisk Reach Settlement

Rival eVTOL air taxi developers Archer Aviation and Wisk Aero have reached a settlement in their two-year-long legal dispute over allegations of intellectual property theft. In a surprising turn of events, the two California-based competitors have agreed to collaborate on autonomous flight technology that could one day enable unpiloted, passenger-carrying air taxi operations.

In a call with investors on Thursday, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said the company intends to produce an autonomous, unpiloted version of its Midnight eVTOL air taxi in the future, and that Wisk—a Boeing subsidiary—will be Archer’s exclusive provider of autonomous flight technology.

Avantto and Epic Aircraft Celebrate Fleet Purchase Deal

Epic Aircraft celebrated the announcement of a purchase agreement this week at LABACE 2023 by Brazilian fractional-share operator Avantto for 34 Epic E1000 GX turboprop singles. Epic CEO Doug King flew the E1000 GX on display at LABACE from the company’s Bend, Oregon headquarters, along with a 16-liter bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne that he shared during the celebration.

Deliveries of Avantto’s E1000s are scheduled to begin in mid-October, with the second by year-end and the rest arriving at the rate of eight per year over the next four years. This will depend on E1000 certification by Brazil’s ANAC, which is pending.