Embraer Delivers the First E175 to United Airlines

At a ceremony held at the Company’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Embraer this week delivered the first E175 jet to United Airlines. This aircraft is part of the contract signed between the two companies in April of 2013 for a firm order of 30 E175 jets.

The E175s will be operated by Mesa Airlines of Phoenix, AZ, under the United Express brand and are configured in a 76-seat dual class layout.

As the leader in the 70 to 130-seat jet segment, Embraer continues to invest in the E-Jets family which is flown by some 65 airlines from 45 countries. 

Source and Photo: Embraer

Dassault’s Falcon 2000S & 2000LXS approved for London City Airport

Dassault’s Falcon 2000S and 2000LXS twin jets recently received approval to operate at one of the world’s most challenging airports, London City, located in the heart of Europe’s financial hub. Dassault is the only business jet manufacturer to have its entire current production fleet certified to operate at London City.

 "The ability to operate at London City gives our operators an added measure of flexibility and a distinct advantage in their day-to-day operations,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.  “Superior airport performance is at the center of every Falcon that Dassault designs and builds. The London City approvals Dassault has received for all of our current production aircraft are a clear example of this.”

 The 3,350 nm Falcon 2000S is Dassault’s new entry-level jet. It offers short-field capability comparable to smaller midsize jets but with performance and a superior level of cabin comfort. The 4,000 nm Falcon 2000LXS has the same cabin offerings, similar short-field capability but with longer range. Both were certified in 2013.

 The Falcon 2000S and Falcon 2000LXS can connect London City with all of Europe and most of the Middle East. The Falcon 2000S can climb directly to 41,000 feet in 19 minutes and can land at 95% of its maximum takeoff weight. Equipped with leading edge inboard slats, it can approach at a slow 107 knots and needs just 2,315 ft of runway to land. The 2000LXS features similar landing performance.

 Dassault’s flagship, the Falcon 7X, previously received approval in 2009 and features the longest range of any airplane out of London City Airport. It can connect London City Airport with nonstop access to the United States, Europe and the Middle East. 

Source and Photo: Dassault

Boeing Business Jets Market Growing in China

Five Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets have entered service in China in the last year where the market for ultra-long range business jets continues to grow, Boeing announced today at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE).

“China continues to be a strong market for us as more Chinese companies increase their international presence,” said Capt. Steve Taylor, president, Boeing Business Jets. “The BBJ is the right business tool for this market with the range capability to go farther non-stop, and the size for large business teams to travel more comfortably.”

BBJ had a big year in China with five BBJs entering service since ABACE 2013 last April; two new BBJs and three pre-owned jets. In addition, three more BBJs for Chinese customers were delivered to completion centers, including the first BBJ2 for the China region. The order book for Chinese customers increased by two in the same timeframe.  

Taylor also announced BBJ’s worldwide orders and deliveries. In total, the program has booked orders for 216 airplanes and delivered 195 since launching in 1996.

Boeing Business Jets offers a wide variety of ultra-large-cabin, long-range airplanes perfectly suited for the private jet market. The product line includes the BBJ, BBJ 2 and BBJ 3 – high-performance derivatives of the commercially successful Next-Generation 737 airplane family and the new 737 MAX family – as well as Boeing twin-aisle airplanes including the 747-8, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner.

Source and photo: Boeing

Dassault Announces Ultra Long Range Falcon 8X

Dassault Aviation today launched the Falcon 8X, the newest addition to the Falcon family in the ultra long range category.

The Falcon 8X will offer a range of 6,450 nm (11,945 km) and will feature the longest cabin of any Falcon.  Moreover, it will offer the same low operating economics and the remarkable operating flexibility for which all Falcons are known.

“The Falcon 8X will be our new flagship and a great complement to our product line,” announced Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO, Eric Trappier. “It builds on Dassault expertise in aerodynamics, in precision design and manufacturing, and in advanced digital flight controls. It embodies the best of Falcons that have come before with the most capability of any Falcon ever.”

“With two new aircraft in development, the 5X and 8X, Dassault will now be able to offer a family of six jets designed to meet the widest possible range of operator needs at the upper end of the business jet spectrum,” added Trappier.

With eight passengers and three crew, the Falcon 8X will be capable of flying 6,450 nm non-stop at M.80. It will be powered by an improved version of the Pratt and Whitney Canada PW307 engine that equips the Falcon 7X. Combined with improvements to wing design, the new power plant will make the 8X up to 35% more fuel efficient than any other aircraft in the ultra-long range segment, affording a corresponding savings in operating costs.

The Falcon 8X is expected to have a balanced field length of about 6,000 ft (1,829 m) and an approach speed of 106 kts (197 kph) at typical landing weight.

The Falcon 8X will be equipped with a totally redesigned cockpit modeled after the Falcon 5X.  It will feature a new generation of the EASy flight deck equipped with a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision and offer a dual HUD capability.

First flight is expected in early 2015 with certification in the middle of 2016 and initial deliveries before the end of 2016.

Source and Photo: Dassault Falcon

Two women marry seven decades after meeting

DAVENPORT- Two Iowa women in their 90s celebrated seven decades they have spent together as a couple by getting married in a small ceremony. Vivian Boyack, 91, and “Nonie” Dubes, 90, exchanged vows at the First Christian Church in Davenport on Saturday. The couple then enjoyed a reception dinner with close friends and relatives, many of whom had been prodding them to marry since gay marriage became legal in Iowa in 2009. “I felt like I was in a dream and that I would wake up and it was not going to be true,” Boyack said. “We do hope we have a few more years, but if we don’t it’s a real closing for us.” The couple, who do not plan a honeymoon, have been inundated with phone calls and flowers from well-wishers, she said.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000134811/two-women-marry-seven-decades-after-meeting/?utm_source=elvis-gitau&utm_campaign=september&utm_medium=st

Rolls-Royce powers fastest civil aircraft into service

Rolls-Royce has powered the first delivery of the new Cessna Citation X+, the world's fastest civil aircraft, with AE 3007C2 engines.

The AE 3007C2 is the latest variant of the AE 3007C engine that powers more than 300 Citation X aircraft in service today.

Russell Buxton, Rolls-Royce, President - Civil Small and Medium Engines, said: "We are proud to power the new Citation X+ into service and look forward to a new chapter in our relationship with Cessna and the Textron Aviation companies."

Source and image:  Rolls-Royce / Cessna

First production HondaJet takes to the skies

Honda Aircraft Company has announced that the first production HondaJet achieved its initial flight, marking another milestone toward aircraft certification and entry into service in 2015. The event took place at the company’s world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“With this first flight, the HondaJet program has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Today’s celebration is the culmination of extensive engineering and production efforts, and this is an important achievement in bringing the world’s most advanced light jet to market.”

The first production aircraft lifted off from the Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO) at 10:18 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. During the 84-minute flight, the aircraft climbed to 15,500 feet and reached a speed of 348 Knots True Airspeed (KTAS). Following a smooth landing, the aircraft and its crew were greeted by more than 1,000 Honda Aircraft team members to commemorate the milestone.

The aircraft was flown by test pilot Warren Gould, pilot-in-command. The crew completed several checks during the flight including low and high speed handling characteristics, avionics and system functionality including landing gear, flaps and speed brake operations.

This aircraft is finished in the new signature HondaJet paint scheme in a deep green pearl with a gold stripe. The new color introduction is in addition to four exterior color options available to customers, which also include silver, red, yellow and blue.

Aircraft production continues its steady pace in advance of entry into service. This steady build-up supports the company’s objective to have aircraft ready for delivery immediately after Federal Aviation Administration type certification is achieved. The HondaJet will be single-pilot certified and is currently offered for sale in North America and Europe through the HondaJet dealer network.

The HondaJet is the world’s most advanced light jet, and its distinctive design incorporates advanced technologies and concepts. The HondaJet patented Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, natural laminar flow wing, and composite fuselage were developed from long-term research activities. These innovations combine to make the HondaJet the fastest, most spacious and most fuel-efficient jet in its class.

The HondaJet flies at a maximum cruise speed of 420 knots (483 mph) and has a maximum altitude of 43,000 feet. The aircraft seats up to five passengers in a standard configuration and can travel at an NBAA IFR range of 1,180 nautical miles (1,357 miles).