Gulfstream Aerospace last night revealed a pair of new twinjets—the G400 and G800—that will bookend each side of its large-cabin jet family and expand that line to six aircraft, beyond the G500, G600, G650ER, and G700. Announced amid fanfare during a ceremony at Gulfstream’s Savannah, Georgia headquarters, the 8,000-nm G800 descends directly from the G650ER and throws down a new gauntlet for range in its category. (Jump to the next story to read about the G400.)
Three G800s are slated to take part in flight testing, with the first—dubbed T1—taxied via electric tug behind unsuspecting ceremony attendees as Gulfstream president Mark Burns talked about the new $71.5 million twinjet. T1 began taxiing under its own power last month in Savannah, and plans call for first flight by year-end and service entry in early 2023.
When the G800 eventually replaces the G650ER, all of Gulfstream’s large-cabin jets will have common flight decks—notably Honeywell Epic-based Symmetry avionics and BAE Systems active control sidesticks—that will make it easier for pilots to transition between these fly-by-wire aircraft. Further, the G700 and G800 will also have a common pilot rating.
The G700 and G800 share a wing, tail, and fuselage cross-section (though it retains the G650's length), in addition to Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofans, which are on track to receive FAA certification early next year. While the G800 is intended to replace the G650ER, Burns said the latter jet—priced in the low $60 million range—will remain as a part of Gulfstream’s line-up for the foreseeable future as a “value” airplane.
New Gulfstream G400 Fills Gap Between G280 and G500
The new Gulfstream G400 announced alongside the G800 last night in Savannah is derived from the G500/600 and fills the gap between the super-midsize G280 and G500. Priced at $34.5 million (2021 $), the 4,200-nm-range G400 will act as the entry-level product in Gulfstream’s large-cabin jet family. The twinjet is slated to begin test flights in 2023, with service entry to follow in 2025.
There will be seating for up to 12 passengers in three zones and an aft lavatory, though a two-zone, nine-seat configuration option will have both forward and aft lavatories. Ten of Gulfstream’s signature wide oval windows will provide ample natural light in the nearly 42.5-foot-long cabin.
Up front, the G400 will also feature the Symmetry flight deck. A head-up display with combined vision system is an available option.
The G400, G500, and G600 will share the same tail and fuselage cross-section but have slightly different variants of the Pratt & Whitney PW800-series engine—the PW812GA on the G400. All three jets will be made at the Northwest manufacturing facility at Gulfstream’s Savannah campus.
With a mtow of 69,580 pounds, the airplane will have a 5,000-foot takeoff distance (SL, ISA), according to Gulfstream. Other preliminary weights include 47,150-pound max zero fuel, 4,050-pound max payload, and 25,350-pound max fuel.
New Report Calls for Net-zero Aviation by 2050
The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), an industry umbrella organization consisting of major aircraft and engine manufacturers and organizations such as IATA, IBAC, A4A, and GAMA, issued a declaration today stating that “global civil aviation operations will achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, supported by accelerated efficiency measures, energy transition, and innovation across the aviation sector and in partnership with governments around the world.”
That affirmation was contained in Waypoint 2050, a newly issued report by the group, which noted that by 2050 the aviation industry will move more than 10 billion passengers a year, with traffic levels 2.5 times greater than in 2019. While the report stated that emerging technologies such as hybrid power, electricity, and hydrogen could contribute between 12 and 34 percent of the emissions reductions required to meet that net-zero goal, the bulk of the savings—53 to 71 percent—is projected to come from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The remainder would be covered by operational improvements and infrastructure, and carbon removal or sequestration.
The report further states that the industry will need 445 million tonnes of SAF in 2050, and to reach that amount ATAG estimates a required investment of up to $1.45 trillion over the next three decades. ATAG acting director Haldane Dodd noted that will be possible with supportive government policy and the backing of the energy sector.
Bombardier is realigning its leadership team with the planned retirement of Andy Nureddin, who had led the airframer's customer support division for nearly 15 years. Nureddin, who joined Bombardier in 1998 as director of technical publications for regional aircraft, plans to fully retire in mid-2022 and has moved into a role as fleet leader for the Global 7500 as that program continues its ramp-up. He also will support the new customer support team through the transition.
Stepping in as v-p of customer support is Anthony Cox, who has served with Bombardier since 2006. Cox began his career with the company as a field service representative and was later promoted to customer support manager in an effort to enhance customer engagement in North Asia. More recently, he has led customer support and in-service support teams for Bombardier in the Americas.
In his new role, Cox will be responsible for a portfolio that includes customer response, field service, regional support offices, mobile response teams, line maintenance stations, and continued airworthiness maintenance organization.
Bombardier also promoted Jason Schick, a nearly 28-year company veteran, to serve as senior director of technical services with the responsibility for training services along with technical services and publications. Meanwhile, Chris Milligan, v-p of preowned aircraft services, is now steering flight operations. He has spent the last 20 years with Bombardier and Flexjet.
Safer Training Through High-Tech Reality Replication
To be prepared for anomalies and emergencies, crews need to know the aircraft systems, avionics, flying characteristics, and emergency procedures before they jump into the simulator. With more than 70 years of training, FlightSafety brings as much realism into the classroom as possible using advanced-technology simulators, virtual reality and computer-assisted debriefing tools.
Satcom provider Viasat has expanded its high-capacity, Ka-band in-flight connectivity for business aviation users in Brazil and plans to bolster its broadband coverage in other parts of the world, the Carlsbad, California-based company announced today.
In Brazil, Viasat is using capacity on its Ka-band partner satellite, SGDC-1 (geostationary satellite for defense and strategic communications), owned by Telebras, which is Brazil’s state-owned telecommunications services provider. With the expanded in-flight connectivity offering, business aircraft operating there will have access to speeds typically greater than 20 Mbps, from takeoff to touchdown, according to the company.
Viasat also said that it will soon provide expanded Ka-band coverage and capacity across parts of Europe and the Middle East on the Avanti Communication Group’s HYLAS-4 and HYLAS-2 satellites. “This coverage expansion will enable us to extend connectivity for existing operators, pursue new business in these important regions, and further establish Viasat’s market presence globally,” said Claudio D'Amico, business area director for Viasat Business Aviation.
Coverage and capacity in those regions will be augmented in the future with the company’s ViaSat-3 satellite constellation, the company added.
F/List Unveils Three New Finishes Lines
Austria-based F/List, which specializes in high-end interiors for aircraft, yachts, and homes, is expanding its array of business jet cabin finishes. The finishes include lines of metals, fresco, and glass wood veneers that incorporate new textures, dimensions, and designs.
F/List's Pure Metal Finish incorporates metals and alloys to provide novel patterns and textures on any surface type and structural shape. Offered using copper, tin, bronze, or brass, the line is available with four surfaces: smooth veneer, fine stippled, coarse stippled, and brushed. The finishes weigh 20 percent less than conventional metal finishes, F/List said.
Its Fresco Décor finishes—used on bulkheads, furniture fronts, and/or sidewalls—add “luxuriously embossed, three-dimensional surfaces to normally one-dimensional areas,” the company said. Employing Ultraleather, Ultrasuede, or certain other soft materials, the finishes can be formed into various shapes with embosses as deep as four millimeters and have sound-dampening properties.
Meanwhile, its Glass Wood Veneer finishes add an ultra-deep gloss appearance to wood veneers by incorporating layers of Aviationglass. The finish can be customized as inlays or used to provide graphical highlights over defined surfaces. Layers of mirrors can be added to display corporate logos or other images. Interactive technologies can be incorporated to optimize cabin functionality, F/List added.
The finishes are all certified for aviation use and available immediately.
Wheels Up chief marketplace officer Vinayak Hegde has been promoted to president as the private aviation membership company seeks to expand its customer base beyond its traditional membership model. As president, Hegde will continue to report to Wheels Up chairman and CEO Kenny Dichter.
Hegde, who came to Wheels Up in May, has more than 20 years of experience in technology, marketing, and product development with companies such as Amazon and Airbnb. “Vinayak has successfully leveraged his proven, successful track record with product, engineering, sales, marketing, data, and operations to deliver substantial value to the enterprise,” Dichter said. “Over the last five months, Vinayak has immersed himself in our business and has rapidly implemented several system enhancements, driving disciplined reporting rooted in transparency and accountability, and hired key leaders, which enables us to take Wheels Up to the next level, at an accelerated pace.”
As president, Hegde will take on the additional duties of developing and implementing a seamless and holistic approach to the customer, from sales to the management of the experience and loyalty of the company's members and customers, according to Wheels Up. He also will lead key strategic initiatives across the company.
Chicago Executive Airport Debuts U.S. Customs Facility
Officials in Illinois today celebrated the opening of a new, dedicated U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) with a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours. The new building is located at the south end of the airfield off Palatine Road, at the site of the former Hangar 4, which was demolished in 2020 to make room for the project. Groundbreaking on the new CBP facility took place soon after.
While clearance for international passengers previously took place in the airport’s Hangar 41, the newly-constructed building, which will be staffed 24/7, offers travelers a modern, private venue and provides CBP officers the most advanced working environment in which to clear arriving aircraft and passengers.
The $3 million, 3,400-sq-ft facility includes secure processing and detention areas, a new apron on the airside and a vehicle parking lot landside. The project was self-funded by the Chicago Executive Airport through airport fees with a significant portion coming from a surcharge on aviation fuel sold.
"Business and general aviation are emerging very strong from the pandemic,” said George Sakas, the airport's interim executive director. “We are experiencing record numbers of flights, with our airport partners building new hangars and hiring additional staff. Investments like this CBP facility make Chicago Executive the airport destination of choice for international travelers to and from downtown Chicago and the suburbs."
Gulfstream Unveils New G800, G400
Gulfstream Aerospace announced two new additions to its family of large-cabin jets yesterday: the G800 and the G400. The G800, which will ultimately replace the G650ER as the airframer’s longest-range jet, stretches its predecessor’s—as well as the G700’s—range by 500 nm, to 8,000 nm. It retains the fuselage dimensions of the G650 line, while receiving a host of updates from the G700. Scheduled to enter service in early 2025, the new G400 offers a range of 4,200 nm and fills a niche held by the G450, which ceased production in 2018. It will be similarly appointed as the G500 and G600, but will have a shorter fuselage.
People in Aviation
JetAviva added three executives to its team: Michael Simmen as v-p of operations; Mickea Smith sales director; and Egan Rzonca sales operations specialist. Simmen joins jetAviva with a background in aviation operations, previously holding a management role in CRM and customer experience at Embraer. Smith has more than a decade of experience, including a six-year tenure at Van Bortel Aircraft. Rzonca previously held an aircraft sales role with Embraer and also has served with Elliott Jets.
Air Culinaire Worldwide (ACW) brought Wilfried Pinecki on board to serve as director of sales for Europe and promoted Mehdi Senni to client services manager. Wilfried has more than 20 years of inflight catering experience, including as head of customer service and sales with a company in Paris. Mehdi, who had worked with various in-flight catering teams in Paris since 2005, joined ACW in May 2014 and has worked in client relations and sales.
Sun Air Jets appointed Edward Fares as director of operations. An airline transport-rated pilot with more than 11,000 flight hours, Fares has 20 years of aviation industry experience holding roles as a captain in the airline industry to various chief pilot and director of operations within business aviation.
Juan Gutierrez has joined Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems as director of government business development. Gutierrez, who previously was v-p of business development for Physical Optics Corp, brings a U.S. Navy background to his new role previously serving as a Sikorsky H-60 pilot, officer in charge, and maintenance department head, as well as government flight test director, program manager, project officer, and various other posts.
Elliott Aviation hired Rick McCormack to serve as a project manager at its headquarters in Moline, Illinois. McCormack brings nearly 25 years of aviation experience to his new role, most recently as interior supervisor for Flying Colours but also holding roles with Midcoast Aviation, Premier Air Center, McKinney Aerospace, and King Aerospace.
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