Textron Aviation is refreshing the cabin of the CJ4, the largest of its Cessna Citation CJ family of light jets, the manufacturer announced this morning. The CJ4 Gen2 is equipped with enhanced features such as new folding airstairs with a lower step to the ground, step lighting, and handrail; enhanced seating options; improved ambient lighting; and a galley with more storage.
According to the Wichita-based company, the CJ4 Gen2 has received current interior certification under its Model 525C FAA type certificate, and deliveries of the $10.75 million single-pilot twinjet will begin this quarter.
In the main cabin, new side-facing seating options include a single folding seat, a fixed two-place couch, and a folding, two-place couch for additional storage of passenger belongings. Enhanced lighting in seat pockets, cupholders, and along the sidewall and floor are standard. Two CoolView skylights—a first for a Citation—provide natural light to the lavatory and aft cabin. A new lavatory vanity and sink are available through the Premier Collection design option.
Cabin improvements are capped off by an upgraded wireless cabin management system that comes with a media server capable of streaming preloaded audio and video files, accessing SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and providing moving maps.
This is the first upgrade to CJ4, which began deliveries in 2010. More than 320 CJ4s are currently in service.
Aerion Supersonic, which has indicated plans to explore hypersonic aircraft possibilities, is taking a step in that direction under an agreement announced today with NASA to jointly study “high-Mach” aircraft. The Space Act Agreement, the third between Aerion Supersonic and NASA, will involve researching propulsion and thermal management technologies for a future generation of commercial aircraft that could operate near hypersonic speeds.
“This is a continuation of a long-standing relationship between Aerion Supersonic and NASA,” said Aerion chairman, president, and CEO Tom Vice. “At Aerion our vision is to build a future where humanity can travel between any two points on our planet within three hours. This partnership will enable the development of technologies that will help realize ultra-high-speed point-to-point global mobility solutions.”
Aerion has been developing the Mach 1.4 AS2 business jet with plans to bring the aircraft to market later this decade. But Vice told the AIAA Aviation Forum in June that the AS2 is just the beginning for Aerion. He detailed a vision that includes moving on to a much larger AS3 and venturing into hybrid, all-electric power, and—eventually—hypersonic possibilities.
“We have made significant progress on the design of our AS2 supersonic business jet ... and this agreement with NASA will significantly add to the work our company is doing on our next-generation AS3 passenger jet.”
Aviation hiring is rising once again following the lull caused by the pandemic, according to online aviation recruiting company JSfirm. “Not only has job seeker activity shown a marked increase, but the number of companies advertising their openings on our site is also returning to pre-Covid levels,” it said.
JSfirm reported a 19 percent increase in job postings in the fourth quarter, while last month saw a record number of job postings on the company’s aviation job website, even compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Its website traffic from job seekers also steadily increased last month, climbing 48 percent month-over-month.
“After the sudden and unexpected downturn of hiring in the aviation industry in 2020, we were all eager to see what 2021 would bring us. The increase of job advertisements from companies is astounding. This is a very promising start to 2021,” said JSfirm executive director Abbey Hutter.
“Our concern now is that due to retirements and people leaving the industry during the past year, the industry will be left with an even bigger shortage of talent than before Covid,” she added. “Smart companies are hiring now, so they don’t find themselves dealing with work-stopping understaffing issues as the industry begins to regain steam.”
Orgs Urge Treasury Secretary To Speed Up PSP Payments
Noting many smaller operators are still awaiting financial assistance under the renewed Payroll Support Program (PSP), five aviation organizations representing smaller operators appealed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to see that the remaining applications for workforce compensation assistance be processed with the same urgency as the larger carriers.
In a letter to Yellen, the organizations—the National Air Carrier Association, NATA, NBAA, HAI, and Regional Airline Association—asked for an update on plans to provide financial assistance, noting that larger carriers have already begun to receive funding. Congress in December set aside $15 billion for passenger air carrier payroll support, renewing a program that was established in April 2020 under the Cares Act.
Recognizing that the original PSP expired in October, the organizations stressed, “With every day that passes without certainty on the status of the financial assistance, businesses are seeing their situations worsen to the detriment of their workforce.” The Treasury Department ensured applications of 12 large carriers were processed expeditiously and $6.1 billion was quickly disseminated, they said.
“While we are appreciative and grateful for the department’s quick processing of these applications to support the workforces of these carriers, we are frustrated that the approximately 300 carriers and operators who have also applied to the program have not received their PSP support,” they said.
VistaJet IDs Covid-19 Impact on Luxe Travel’s Future
Though largely sparing private aviation, the pandemic has devasted the ultra-high-end travel and hospitality industries while sparking innovations now transforming the sectors, according to Malta-based VistaJet. The global air charter provider today released “The Future of Private Travel,” a report that aims to document current changes and “start a conversation on what the new normal will look like beyond 2021,” VistaJet chief commercial officer Ian Moore told AIN.
Based on responses from among more than 650 of the hospitality sectors’ industry leaders queried worldwide, 78 percent reported year-over-year net revenue declines of at least 60 percent, with a significant portion (43 percent) seeing drops exceeding 90 percent. Meanwhile, adapting for the future, just under 95 percent have planned or implemented customer experience and/or service upgrades, and more than 60 percent have introduced new offerings, products, or services, according to the report, which was produced in partnership with high net-worth market consultancy Barton.
The survey also revealed “a need to be collaborative,” with over 86 percent of the luxe purveyors developing turnkey offerings to overcome Covid-related restrictions and requirements. “Even previously competing brands” may work together in the normal to come, Moore said, while admitting VistaJet and the small core of top-end private lift providers won’t be among them. “I don’t see a huge amount of collaboration among the big boys—other than acquisitions,” he added.
Boom Expands Leadership Team
Boom Supersonic, prepping for the first flight of its XB-1 supersonic technology demonstrator, is expanding its leadership team and board of directors as it continues to accelerate efforts to develop the Overture supersonic airliner.
The company brought Kathy Savitt on board as president and chief commercial officer and Joe Massaquoi as CFO. Savitt, who was a founder of growth and change management consultancy Perch Partners and a board member of Alaska Airlines, has served as a Boom adviser. Massaquoi takes the senior financial post at Boom after serving as CFO of Initium Aerospace, a joint venture established by Boeing and Safran to develop aircraft auxiliary power units. He also has held corporate development roles with Boeing, and Boom said he has led strategic and financing transactions that have resulted in more than $36 billion in new capital infusion.
In addition, Boom added three new board members: Ray Johnson, who was also a Boom adviser and former senior v-p and chief technology officer for Lockheed Martin; Michael Marks, a founding managing partner of WRVI Capital and co-founder of construction technology company Katerra; and Jacqueline Reses, former head of Square Capital and chief development officer at Yahoo.
According to Boom, the additions will help enable the company to expand on its financing and commercial strategies.
Bristow Sees No Recovery for Offshore Helos in 2021
Global helicopter services company Bristow Group announced a widening net loss in the fourth quarter and confirmed its intention to seek $400 million in new financing to pay down high-cost debt, some of which comes due in 2022. CEO Chris Bradshaw also said he didn’t see Bristow’s core offshore energy business improving until next year.
The new debt will be secured by 93 pledged aircraft from its fleet and “substantially all of the other tangible and intangible property assets of the company.” Debt proceeds combined with company cash will be used to repay term loans of $152 million from Macquarie Bank and $203.9 million from Apollo unit PK AirFinance, as well as $132 million in 7.75 percent senior notes due next year.
For the quarter, Bristow posted a loss of $57.1 million on operating revenues of $300.3 million, compared to a loss of $27.9 million on revenues of $295.7 million in the preceding quarter. Almost all of Bristow’s most recent quarterly losses were attributed to “impairment charges” related to the company’s investment in Canada’s Cougar Helicopters ($51.9 million) and helicopters held for sale ($1.4 million). That compared to impairment losses of $17.6 million in the preceding quarter related to inventory write-down and helicopters held for sale.
Burt Rutan, Charles McGee Receive Top Hoover Honors
AOPA honored four “remarkable” aerospace leaders—famed designer Burt Rutan, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin, and BRS Aerospace founder Boris Popov—during its fifth annual R.A. “Bob” Hoover Trophy Awards. Presented virtually on February 3, the awards recognized individuals who have exemplified courage, perseverance, and service, AOPA said.
Rutan received the highest honor, the R.A. “Bob” Hoover Trophy, for his airmanship, leadership, and passion for aviation. Rutan has designed 49 aircraft, including the Voyager and SpaceShipOne.
AOPA presented the inaugural Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Aviation Inspiration Award to its namesake, who was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. AOPA noted that McGee fought two wars simultaneously during World War II, one against fascism in Europe and another against racism in the U.S. Ruffin, meanwhile, also received the award as an “aviator and hero in the name of General McGee.” An F–16 pilot and commander of the 71st Operations Support Squadron, Ruffin also founded the Legacy Flight Academy that works to preserve and grow the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
The General Aviation Safety Award was presented to Popov, who is credited with helping to drive down the general aviation fatal accident rate with his whole-airframe parachute concept. The system is believed to have saved 438 lives to date and is now on 30,000 general aviation aircraft.
AIN sister publication Business Jet Traveler is holding a free webinar on March 3 about how to get started with flying privately. Hosted by AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber and veteran business aviation journalist Charles Alcock, the webinar will feature EBAA COO Robert Baltus and NATA senior v-p Ryan Waguespack in an unbiased and invaluable conversation through the basics—from charter, jet cards, and flight clubs to fractional aircraft shares and full ownership. Register now.
People in Aviation
PHI Aviation expanded its commercial team, naming Cory Latiolais chief commercial officer, Travis Latiolais v-p of commercial and business development, Chelsea Royall capture manager, and Cory Clark business development analyst. Cory Latiolais has worked in every facet of PHI’s business over the past 23 years, most recently as senior v-p of commercial and business development. Travis Latiolais brings a background in managing programs for multiple helicopter operators and OEMs, including Bristow, RLC, Airbus Helicopters, and most recently as v-p at Pathfinder Aviation. Royall was recently promoted to her new role that focuses on award and proposal strategies, and Clark joins PHI from American Airlines.
Jeffery Potter joined King Aerospace as director of interiors. Potter has a 30-year career that has included management roles with Aeria Luxury Interiors, Gore Design Completions, and Associated Air Center.
JetHQ appointed Sanjeev Choudhary as v-p of sales for Asia. Choudhary brings 15 years of aviation sales experience to his new role, most recently as president of business development for Arrow Aircraft in New Delhi. He also served in the Indian Army for 25 years.
Fernando Alonso joined ITPS as a visiting instructor, as well to provide business development services. Alonso previously has served as head of flight and integration testing at Airbus Commercial Aircraft and head of military aircraft at Airbus.
Flight Data Systems hired Scott Hall as the business development executive for the Americas. Hall has more than 20 years of aviation technology experience, previously holding business development roles at Panasonic Avionics and German-based Idair.
West Star Aviation named Michael Smith as Embraer team lead at its Chattanooga, Tennessee facility. Smith previously has served with Boeing and Embraer.
Mike Skow, who is CEO of Omni Aircraft Sales, Omni Air Transport, and Omni Aircraft Maintenance, has become a partner in the business. Skow has served with the Omni group of companies for 14 years, beginning as a first officer.
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