Embraer’s Praetor 500 Wins U.S., European Nods

A little more than a month after receiving Brazilian ANAC type certification, Embraer’s Praetor 500 earned EASA and FAA approval, Embraer announced Monday evening. The certifications follow the trio of approvals granted last spring to the aircraft’s longer-range, stretched sibling, the Praetor 600.

Announced during the 2018 NBAA annual convention, the Praetor 500 and 600 mark the next generation of the original Legacy 450 and 500 with new winglets, increased fuel capacity, and other enhancements that boost overall performance.

As certified, the Praetor 500 is capable of flying 3,340 nm with NBAA IFR reserves and four passengers, reaching a speed of 466 ktas, taking off in 4,222 feet, and having an unfactored landing distance of 2,086 feet. This beats the original design targets of 3,250-nm range, 462 ktas high-speed cruise, 4,263 takeoff distance, and 2,091-foot unfactored landing distance. The aircraft is capable of connecting Miami to Seattle, New York to London, and Jakarta to Tokyo, nonstop.

As with its Legacy 450 predecessor, the midsize Praetor 500 is fully fly-by-wire and incorporates the latest edition of the Pro Line Fusion flight deck with ADS-B In, Embraer's enhanced vision system with a head-up display, and a synthetic-vision guidance system. It also is the first in its class to be offered with Ka-band connectivity.

Lynx FBO Expands To Metro NY

Growing service provider chain Lynx FBO continues its expansion with the purchase of its eighth U.S. facility, FTC FBO, one of two full-service facilities at New Jersey’s Morristown Airport (MMU). In operation since the mid-2000s, the CAA-preferred FBO features more than 45,000 sq ft of hangar space, nearly five acres of ramp, and a terminal with passenger lobby, pilot lounge, snooze room, shower facilities, conference room, and flight-planning area.

For the Sterling Group-backed Lynx, which now has a coast-to-coast FBO network, this location, just 27 miles west of New York City, represents an opportunity to fill a gap in its coverage.

“We are excited to enter the New York metropolitan area and believe this expansion into the largest general aviation market in the United States is a perfect complement to our growing network of FBOs,” said company CFO Matt DeLellis. “We look forward to working with DM Airports Ltd., the town of Morristown, and the local team to develop a safe, customer-centric FBO that operators in the region have come to expect.”

The company expects to begin planning for design and development of a new terminal and hangar complex at MMU as soon as the deal closes.

Bombardier’s Global 6500 Enters Service

Bombardier’s first Global 6500 has entered service, a milestone reached just a week after the ultra-long-range model and its sibling, the Global 5500, received Transport Canada approval on September 24, the Montreal-headquartered aircraft manufacturer announced this morning.

That first Global 6500, one of about a handful expected to be delivered this year, is leased back to Bombardier for use as a demonstrator. Bombardier will showcase the aircraft during this month’s NBAA convention in Las Vegas.

FAA and EASA approvals are anticipated shortly, and deliveries of the 5500s are expected to commence next year. EASA flight-testing was completed as of last month, and the FAA testing is nearly complete. Bombardier has further been working through approvals for the pilot-training process.

Certification followed a flight-testing program at Bombardier’s test center in Wichita, Kansas. The program involved three aircraft representing both models. Still to be completed are plans for adding true combined vision to the flight deck—in which enhanced vision is overlaid with synthetic vision in a single view on the head-up display. Currently, both enhanced and synthetic vision are on the models but not yet available as a combined feature.

The Transport Canada nod was announced the day after Rolls-Royce announced Canadian approval for the Pearl 15 engines powering the newest members of the Global family. 

Teterboro Is Latest Site for Jet Linx Private Terminal

Jet Linx is continuing its build out of private air terminals for its aircraft owners and jet card members with the opening of its New York-area private terminal at Teterboro Airport—the 18th such facility in its network. Developed in partnership with private investment firm The Radcliff Companies, the 3,000-sq-ft terminal and its staff will operate under standards based on those established by Forbes Travel Guide for rating luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas.

Designed by Paul Bennett Architects, the terminal features decorative elements such as teak wood, cognac leather, and fluted glass, and includes a central lounge area, individual seating areas, a private conference facility, fully equipped kitchen, and dedicated hospitality area. It will support aircraft owners and members in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. 

“We are dedicated to serving our clients in a way no other private aviation business can: by providing our aircraft owners and our jet card members with guaranteed private jet services on a local scale to personally serve each client's individual needs,” Jet Linx president and CEO Jaime Walker said.

The opening comes on the heels of Jet Linx private terminal openings at Texas Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, Missouri. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Jet Linx offers a jet card membership program and aircraft management services. 

Textron Marks 500th Grand Caravan EX Delivery

The Cessna Grand Caravan EX utility turboprop single entered service more than six years ago, and Textron Aviation has delivered its 500th copy, the company announced yesterday. Certified in 2013, it is the third variant of the successful Caravan line first introduced in 1986, but with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine that improved its rate of climb by 38 percent over its predecessor.

Accepting the milestone Grand Caravan EX was Albuquerque, New Mexico-based South Aero, a charter and freight hauler that operates five Cessna Caravans and nearly 11 flights a day. “The dependability and load-carrying capability of the Grand Caravan EX allows our fleet to operate for thousands of hours across the continental U.S.,” South Aero owner and CEO Wayne South said. “This is an outstanding aircraft for our operations and a platform that our pilots love to fly.”

The $2.68 million airplane—which includes the optional under-belly cargo pod—can seat up to 14 passengers with a useful load of 3,692 pounds (1,675 kg) and a maximum range of 912 nm.

Metrojet China GM Chen Elected to AsBAA Board

Michael Chen, the general manager of Metrojet’s China air operator certificate, has been elected to the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) board of governors for a two-year term. In his role at AsBAA, he will be responsible for enhancing the association’s brand awareness in the China aviation industry and, together with the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), assist on enhancing operational safety practices.

“AsBAA is a perfect example of private and public partnerships working together—acting as a conduit between the business aviation industry and the government policymakers,” Chen said. “With my previous working experience in government affairs and my current role within Metrojet, I am confident I can assist in supporting the future development of the industry in China.”

Chen started his career in Beijing with Ameco. He was the program manager of the U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program of the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, a director of government affairs and business development with Honeywell China, and director of business development and government affairs at GE Aviation Greater China.  

Florida Keys FBO Breaks Ground on New Facility

Marathon Aviation broke ground on a new Marathon Jet Center at the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport to replace the temporary facility that has operated there since the existing terminal and hangar were destroyed by 2017’s Category 4 Hurricane Irma.

The 3,000-sq-ft, two-story, Key West-themed FBO will be available 24/7, and will offer a pilot lounge, flight planning area, coffee and snack bar, an exterior access elevator to take guests to the second-floor passenger lounge, outdoor viewing decks, fee-based U.S. Customs, and a 12,000-sq-ft hangar with 28-foot-high doors capable of sheltering aircraft up to a G650. The new buildings will be constructed to comply with the latest county hurricane code standards for wind and flooding. The Avfuel-branded facility is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

“This week we officially begin construction on a new, iconic FBO to serve as a launchpad for U.S. Customs and complement the region’s tourism, five-star resorts, and world-renowned fishing industry,” said Marathon owner Martin Hiller, adding it’s the company’s mission to provide a fully immersive, luxury Middle Keys experience. “Our investment in this venture reflects our deep, long-term commitment to this local community, its economy, and our customers.”

Marathon Aviation also operates a second FBO at the Florida Keys airport that is dedicated to piston aircraft.

Magic Johnson To Keynote NBAA

NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) this year is bringing a new VIP to the event: Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and three-time NBA most valuable player is speaking at the Day 1 keynote session on October 22.

“Magic Johnson’s career, both in sports and in business, has been built around a dedication to leadership by example and service to others,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “We look forward to hearing his perspectives, including with regard to how business aviation has been instrumental in his work to build his business enterprises and invest in communities.”

Johnson is famed for his 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, during which time he played in nine NBA finals. But his work has continued as chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, which fosters underserved urban community and economic development through access to tailored high-quality entertainment, products, and services. He further is chairman and founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness and educational programs.

Johnson joins a varied lineup of speakers who will appear during the three-day convention, also including Yves “Jetman” Rossy, Barrington Irving, Ross Perot, Jr., Steuart Walton, Sky Dayton, and Eric Allison, the head of aviation programs at Uber Elevate.

Free Seminar at NBAA: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Basics

Alternative fuels are slowly but surely working their way into fuel supplies worldwide and many of the turbine-powered aircraft that will fly to Las Vegas for the NBAA-BACE static display will burn some amount of sustainable aviation fuel. AIN’s 1.5-hour live forum during the NBAA show in Vegas will bring together a panel of industry experts to explain how this fuel is gaining ground, why it is good for turbine engines and the environment, and how you can help move the needle on the use of sustainable aviation fuel in the aircraft that you operate. Register today for this free luncheon seminar on October 23 at 12 noon PT (seating is limited). Moderated by AIN editor in chief Matt Thurber, it will feature panelists Steve Csonka, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative; Charles Etter, Gulfstream Aerospace; and Keith Sawyer, Avfuel Corp. Sponsored by World Fuel Services, TAG Farnborough and Gulfstream Aerospace.