Honda Aircraft today provided more details and a new name for its next business jet program—the HondaJet Echelon with the model number HA-480. At the EBACE show in May, Honda Aircraft formally announced the launch of the then-named Concept 2600, a Part 23 single-pilot light jet that offers midsize jet performance and comfort features. A mockup of the Echelon is installed next to the latest version of the HondaJet, the Elite II, at the NBAA-BACE static display at Henderson Executive Airport.

With a transcontinental range of 2,625 nm (NBAA IFR, one pilot, four passengers), the Echelon carries on the unique over-the-wing-engine-mount design of the HondaJet. By mounting the engines on pylons on the wings, engineers can maximize space in the jet’s rear cabin because systems that are required for the engines are also installed in the wings, not in the aft fuselage. This design also reduces noise in the cabin and has aerodynamic benefits that help improve the airplane’s efficiency. 

Honda Aircraft has already received signed letters of intent for more than 350 Echelons, according to Amod Kelkar, Honda Aircraft chief commercial officer and Echelon program manager. Many buyers are owner-pilots, including existing HondaJet owners, while others are fractional-share and charter operators. "Our job now is to deliver that product to customers who are eager to get their hands on it,” he said.

A move by the FAA to revise Part 380 public charter flight rules, as requested by airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), is not justified, could cut services to small communities, and could serve as a barrier to new entrants, a coalition of seven aviation groups warned the agency.

Those warnings were a response to an FAA notice of intent (NOI) released in August, saying the agency was considering a rulemaking to alter the regulatory definitions of “on-demand operation,” “supplemental operation,” and “scheduled operation” under 14 CFR Part 110. The agency said these changes would address “the exception from FAA’s domestic, flag, and supplemental operations regulations for public charter operators.” Such a rulemaking, the FAA added, would push some operators under Part 135 to Part 121.

In comments to the NOI, the seven aviation organizations, many from the business and general aviation community, said, “Changes to regulatory definitions could have unintended negative consequences throughout the entire Part 135 community.”

They further noted that such changes would be made against the backdrop of “an industry where four major airlines control more than 80 percent of the domestic market,” and said, “Part 380 provides much-needed competition in a highly concentrated marketplace, often ensuring secondary markets and small communities continue to have options for meeting the air transportation needs of their citizens.”

Enstrom Helicopter has named its experimental hangar after Jim Bournonville, a 55-year employee of the company and a long-serving member of its R&D department. Bournonville joined Enstrom in 1968, serving as head of manufacturing, senior mechanic, and production supervisor before focusing on R&D activities. Enstrom credits his designs and innovations with helping to grow the company. Bournonville remains with the company today in a part-time, semi-retired capacity.

Company president and CEO Todd Tetzlaff spent many years working alongside Bournonville earlier in his career. “The James Bournonville Research and Development Center will no doubt be a home to future innovation and development inspired by the facility’s namesake. After 55 years on the job, he understands the inner workings of Enstrom better than anyone else,” said Tetzlaff.

“His no-nonsense-approach work ethic and mentorship to Enstrom’s newer employees consistently has proven priceless. Jim is technically gifted, and he’s always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who is willing to learn. The building dedication ceremony was small and quiet. Jim wouldn’t have had it any other way. We surprised him at lunch by bringing his family in to unveil the official signage. I said a few words, we took pictures, and then Jim asked to go right back to work.”

Private lift solutions provider Jet Linx has cut the ribbon on its new flagship private base at Eppley Airfield in the company’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. The $17.5-million facility features a 60,000-sq-ft hangar with a radiant heated floor, and 28-foot-high doors capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets.

It includes an adjoining 6,600-sq-ft, two-level, glass-enclosed private terminal featuring an observation deck overlooking the ramp, lounge area, two conference rooms, private offices, pilot lounge, refreshment bar, and kitchen.

Jet Linx is the third-largest aircraft management provider in the U.S., and its new Omaha complex replaces the aging, much smaller facility that became the company’s first private terminal in 2004, prior to its nationwide expansion.

The company recently named former Cirrus Aircraft president and CEO Brent Wouters as its CEO, as it looks to expand its fleet and increase the number of its jet card subscribers.

NASA has pushed back the first flight of its Quesst supersonic demonstrator aircraft to next year as it works through “several technical challenges identified over the course of 2023,” the agency announced late last week.

The Mach 1.4 X-59 will be used to gather data on public response to a softer thud—rather than a sonic boom—that may be possible with modern supersonic aircraft. This data could pave the way for the eventual return of supersonic flight over land.

Built at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, the X-59 was anticipated to fly this year. NASA noted that the aircraft combines new technology with systems and components from a range of established aircraft such as landing gear from an F-16 fighter and life-support system adapted from the F-15.

“Extra time is needed to fully integrate systems into the aircraft and ensure they work together as expected,” NASA said, adding that the team also is working through “intermittent issues” with safety-redundant computers controlling aircraft systems.

The aircraft is undergoing integrated testing, and once complete, will proceed to flight readiness review. At that point, the agency expects to release a more specific timeline for the first flight.

Even so, NASA noted that the Quesst aircraft has checked off a number of milestones as it progresses toward its first flight, including finalizing electrical wiring and proceeding to ground tests. 

Skyway MRO Services is now offering a quick-release radome modification for Cessna Citations that allows for rapid removal and installation while avoiding screwdriver scratches. It also eliminates the need for expensive, easy-to-lose fasteners.

The mod replaces the original screw-type radome fasteners with bayonet guides and positive-locking quick-release fasteners. Pricing starts at $13,500 for the kit, or $18,225 installed. Skyway said its onsite paint experts can create a perfect blend with the aircraft’s existing paint scheme or provide “a whole new look.”

Meanwhile, Skyway also offers the latest refinement of Sierra’s SkyStep cabin door modification for many Citation models. According to Skyway, SkyStep’s design and lightweight construction eliminates shortcomings of the original factory step. Operators can “improve passenger safety and convenience while enhancing [their] aircraft’s appearance,” the company said.

SkyStep maintains STC approval from the FAA and EASA for the Citation 525 (CJ, CJ1, CJ1+), 525A (CJ2, CJ2+), 525B (CJ3, CJ3+), 500/501SP, 550/551SP, S550, and 560 (V, Ultra, and Encore).

The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) has appointed Paul Cremer as chair of its Operations Working Group. The group, composed of representatives from aircraft operators, focuses on a wide array of issues, including ongoing difficulties faced by UK companies since the country left the European Union and EASA’s air safety jurisdiction.

Cremer, who is head of aviation delivery at Gama Aviation, has taken over from Wally Epton, who has chaired the BBGA’s Operations Working Group for six years. He wants the group to prioritize matters such as flight permits and third-country operator regulations, as well as the adoption of advanced technology for tasks such as handling passenger information and other operational data. He believes the BBGA should focus intently on the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, as well as airspace and airport access concerns.

“We have a raft of issues which aren’t unique to the UK, but as Europe’s largest national association, under the EBAA, they are invariably at the top of our inbox, demanding solutions,” he said. “We do this drawing on our close working relationship with the regulators.”

Fractional-share operator PlaneSense has extended its agreement for the use of Gözen Digital Aviation’s web-based Operator flight operations platform. Both companies are also working on jointly developing aviation industry technology solutions.

Gözen Digital Aviation purchased the Operator and OpsMan products from Boeing’s Jeppesen unit in 2022. It is focusing on developing tools for flight operations, training center management, security, ground handling, crew scheduling, aircraft management, trip planning, and aviation finance.

According to Gözen Digital Aviation, Operator helps flight operations manage complex scheduling scenarios, including advanced schedule planning, next-day trip preparation, and recovery from disruptions.

“In the complex logistics arena that facilitates tens of thousands of fractional operations of the PlaneSense fleet, we are pleased to partner with Gözen who will support Operator, a critical link that ensures timely delivery of excellent service to our clients,” said PlaneSense president and CEO George Antoniadis. “We are hopeful that our cooperation will grow and enhance other aspects of the PlaneSense operations.”