Revived Jetcruzer Prepares for First Flight

Two decades after it was shelved, the Jetcruzer is back—sort of. Aircraft components manufacturer Victor Tao—owner of Farrar Aerospace in Riverside, California—bought the physical and intellectual remains of the program in 2016 and has been quietly working with a small team to bring it back to life.

A pair of scale models were on display at NBAA-BACE 2023 at Jetcruzer International’s booth. But the company is a long way from entering production and has yet to make the first flight of its lone test article. However that first flight could come before year-end, operations manager Jonathan Garza told AIN.

BJT: Paul Stanley's 'Mission to Happiness'

Paul Stanley is best known as the co-founder, lead singer, and rhythm guitarist for Kiss, the now 45-year-old rock band, which has collected 30 gold albums and claims to have sold more than 100 million records. He has written such Kiss hits as “Love Gun,” “God of Thunder,” “Black Diamond,” and “Rock and Roll All Nite.” The group—which is known for its elaborate costumes and facial makeup—was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

Performing and writing are just part of what Stanley does. He designs Kiss album covers, stages, and apparel; he created the iconic Kiss logo; and he has overseen the group’s transformation into a worldwide brand with more than 2,000 licensees. He also designs guitars that have racked up over $20 million in sales and paints portraits and abstracts that have garnered another $3 million in sales. As an actor, Stanley played the title role in The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto in 1999, earning standing ovations and helping the show post million-dollar weekly ticket sales. After selling millions of records and achieving worldwide fame with Kiss in the 1970s, he was still “on a mission to find happiness.”

From the Archives: Citation Latitude Pilot Report

A hallmark of the Citation brand has been the willingness of Cessna leadership to bring out new products that compete not only with other manufacturers’ airplanes but also with the prolific Citation lineup itself. After “building a career” on two cabin cross-sections conceived in the 1970s, the company acknowledged the shifting landscape of the jet market and launched the Latitude, which introduces the first new Citation cabin cross-section in more than four decades.

AIN flew the Latitude with Textron Aviation flight-test manager and chief pilot Aaron Tobias. With a spacious flat-floor cabin, efficient performance, excellent handling, and a price that might poach sales from some other Citation models, the $16.25 million Latitude adds a tough choice for the buyer of a midsize Citation.

AIN Support Survey: GE, Rolls Lead Turbine Support Pack

GE Aerospace returned to take top honors in this year’s Product Support Survey for turbofan engine makers, matching its overall average rating from last year of 8.7. However, Rolls-Royce jumped in the ratings to the second slot just behind GE with an 8.6 rating, and support for its BR700 and AE3007 models moved into a tie at the top for engine-specific overall average.

In the comparison of engine makers, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Williams International tied for the third position this year, each compiling a score of 8.4. The Williams FJ44 fell behind the Rolls turbofan models with a rating of 8.4. Although Honeywell placed last among the turbofan manufacturers, the Phoenix-based aerospace giant scored 9.1 in turboprops, equaling P&WC for the top score among all engine makers. P&WC also posted a 9.1 rating in turboshaft engines while scoring 8.6 in turboprops.

FutureFlight: Archer's Midnight Prototype Flies

Archer Aviation has flown a full-scale prototype of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft for the first time, the company announced on Wednesday. Archer said that over the next few months, it will expand the four-passenger vehicle’s flight envelope from hover to full wing-borne flight as it prepares to start testing with the FAA next year that will accrue credits for type certification.

The Midnight’s first flight in Santa Clara, California, follows earlier testing of a full-scale two-seat Maker technology demonstrator, with testing of previous subscale models having started in 2019, according to Archer. The manufacturer said it expects to achieve its goal of being ready for entry into service with air taxi flights before the end of 2025, with initial use expected to be mainly for 10- to 20-minute flights in urban areas.

BJT: Dassault's Falcon 8X May Be the Last Trijet

The Falcon 8X private jet may be the last of its type to feature three engines, rather than just two. But that’s far from the only thing that sets it apart, as Dassault’s designers have taken the opportunity to significantly refresh the cabin. Plus, pilots have access to the latest safety technology in their flight deck.

BJT captured these characteristics in a video.

See video

Cirrus Delivers 500th SF50 Vision Jet

Cirrus is celebrating the recent delivery of the 500th SF50 Vision Jet by creating a special-edition range of five designs, with styling applied to both exterior and interior. This includes 500th Limited Edition branding throughout. At the same time, pilot type ratings issued for the SF50 surpassed 1,000.

The delivery milestone is significant for an aircraft program that went through uncertain times in its early days. Now, however, the world’s first single-engine personal jet has carved out a class-defining niche for itself and has been the best-selling private jet for five years in a row.

New York College Receives 'Air Force One' for Training

Dutchess County in upstate New York has been working to develop its aviation industry, which is centered on Hudson Valley Regional Airport (KPOU) with its 5,000-foot main runway. Recent improvements include the opening of the Dutchess County Community College’s (DCCC) $16 million, 31,000-sq-ft aviation education center on the field. The school’s aviation management program is the first of its kind to receive FAA certification in the past 50 years.

Earlier this year, at a nominal cost, DCCC obtained “Falcon One,” a former U.S. Air Force Gulfstream III that had carried Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, as well as served as the transport for Army General Norman Schwarzkopf during the Gulf War.