Our 5 top stories from EBACE 2017
Some of the PrivateFly team have been at EBACE (European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition) in Geneva this week, sharing company news, meeting industry colleagues and – of course – experiencing the aircraft.
EBACE is always a global highlight of our industry calendar and a time when private jet manufacturers and other industry suppliers make major announcements. It’s a great opportunity to showcase latest news and developments to a large and captive audience.
Here are some of the news stories that caught our attention this week.
Aerion chooses GE as its supersonic engine partner
Supersonic aircraft developments always make headlines and Aerion, one of the leaders in next-generation concepts, made sure to save an important announcement for EBACE.
It has signed an agreement with engine manufacturer GE Aviation, for a joint study to define the requirements for the turbofan engines that will power its AS2 business jet.
GE already has experience in supersonic engines, from its existing military developments. But the company acknowledges that creating a supersonic business jet is a big task and that “considerable work lies ahead”. Further announcements on the collaboration are expected later in the year at NBAA.
Aerion’s impressive stand here at EBACE showcases some of the supersonic jet’s proposed specifications, which includes shaving 2.6 hours off the current fastest flight time between London and New York.
Gulfstream flies in the G500, on track for year end certification
We’ve been closely following Gulfstream’s flight test program for the all-new G500 (and its bigger sister the G600) and it was great to see one of the test fleet fly in to Geneva, to take part in the EBACE static display.
The long range G500 is on track to achieve certification and enter service by the end of the year, with Gulfstream promising industry-leading performance, safety and comfort.
This production aircraft was showcasing the aircraft’s innovative interior at EBACE, developed using customer feedback. The cabin includes new comfort-enhanced seats, forward and aft lavatories and a full-sized galley. Customisable flooring options, such as stone and wood, can be selected for the entry, galley and lavatories.
The Citation Longitude makes its European debut
Neck-and-neck with the G500 in its certification campaign is Cessna’s Citation Longitude – expected to receive FAA approval by the end of the year. And Kansas-based Textron Aviation flew one of their four test aircraft over the Atlantic to Geneva, to make the Longitude’s European debut.
The first of the $29 million Longitudes to be fully fitted with an interior, the aircraft will be used to evaluate cabin technologies and systems related to passenger experience.
The 12-seat Longitude is Cessna’s move into the super-midsize category for its Citation jet range. And its expected range of 3,500nm will allow popular cross-continental routes, such as Paris to New York or London to Dubai.
Airbus partners with Italian hypercar designer for new ACJ cabin design
At the very top end of the corporate jet market are VVIP airliner conversions, with the best known models the Boeing BBJ and Airbus ACJ range. These supersize cabin spaces allow for (almost) limitless interior customisation, and Airbus has chosen EBACE to showcase a new interior concept for its ACJ319, called Infinito.
The aviation giant has teamed up with Italian hypercar designer, Atelier Pagani Automobili, to create the Infinito, which features state-of-the-art composite materials, and a ‘sky ceiling’ display, which can bring a live view of the sky above into the cabin, to create a feeling of airiness and space. The multi-zone interior is separated by transparent dividers, which can be made opaque at the touch of a button.
Pratt & Whitney Canada celebrates 100,000th gas turbine engine
Throughout June we’re encouraging PrivateFly customers to get closer to the engines they fly on, by teaming up with world-leading engine maker Pratt & Whitney Canada to offer flight discounts. Our customers will receive a discount of up to $1000, when they charter a jet powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada turbofan engine. Find out more.
And Pratt & Whitney Canada had more good news to share at EBACE, celebrating reaching the impressive milestone of their 100,000th gas turbine engine. Of these, 60,000 remain in service with 12,300 customers in more than 200 countries and territories.
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