At the 10th place stays Gulfstream G700 first fly to first customer that is Qatar Executive
Late August 2021 the newest Guslftream G700 has it’s “royal tour” - the first flight from manufacturer's headquarters in Savannah, Georgia to Doha hangar of its first customer - Qatar Executive. Then the aircraft to Paris to give European clients a preview of the finished product.
“These were our longest flights to date and the first outside the US. Operationally, it was flawless, and the 27.5 hours of flight time gave us the opportunity to maximize our test capabilities.” says Scott Evans, Gulfstream’s director of demonstration and corporate flight operations, who piloted the G700.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “ The arrival of the Gulfstream G700 in Doha emphasises our position as one of the leading business jet aircraft service provider in the Middle East and around the world. As the global launch customer for this technologically-advanced jet, we look forward to welcoming the G700 into Qatar Executive’s fleet in 2022 and continuing to set new standards in air travel for years to come.”
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The 9th place goes to first flight also – the first flight of the Falcon 6X.
In March the latest Dassault Falcon 6X had it's first flight from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in France. Pilots logged about two and a half hours flight, testing handling qualities, engine response, and key systems while climbing to 12 km and reaching Mach 0.80. The event launched the flight-test phase of the wide-body 6X. Certification and entry into service are planned for 2022. The twin-engine 6X is powered by Pratt & Whitney's PW812D where D stays for Dassault. With a cabin height of 1.98 meters and a width of 3 meters, the aircraft has the largest cross-section dimensions of any purpose-built business jet. The cabin can accommodate up to 16 passengers in three lounge areas. The maximum range of the 6X carrying eight passengers and three crew at long-range cruise speed is 10 km 186 meters.
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To Aurus Bizliner by Sukhoi Superjet we give the 8th place.
The news version of Sukhoi superjet, the Aurus, was presented at Dubai Airshow. Head of the Rostec state corporation, said prices for the Aurus will vary from $39 million to $50 million, depending on the configuration, significantly cheaper than other major bizliners. The Aurus has a range of more than 7,000 km . Cruise speed is 830 km/h and top speed is 950 km/h. Anna Serejkina, executive director of the United Business Aviation Association, told that since the SSJ has already been operated by Russian domestic airlines, she expects the Aurus to have easier market entrance as a Russian-made aircraft that does not need to be imported. Russian analysts believe the new business jet will be in high demand at least in the local market, mainly due to its domestic origin.
7th place is for the first Honda Jet Elite S delivery.
Honda Jet Elite S was delivered to its first customer in the beginning of July 2021. The aircraft has got the registration number N712LV and is painted in an ice-blue color scheme. Earlier this year, in May 2021 The HondaJet Elite S, was unveiled at the company’s virtual event “Innovation Continues: Elite S”. The HondaJet Elite S features several upgrades that expand operational capability and improve flight operation. Its increased maximum takeoff weight, a higher payload and several new avionics features. The HondaJet Elite S base price is $5.4 million.
The next 6th places we give to Challenger 3500.
The Challenger 3500 aircraft pushes interior design and technical performances in the industry forward. Bombardier is setting the course to what private jet travel should be. Coming on board you discover a cabin where space and style stands together. The Challenger 3500 aircraft features the widest cabin in its class with a flat floor design. The advanced sound insulating design makes the cabin the quietest, minimizing noise for more comfort and productivity. The air circulation system is also the fastest fresh air delivery system - replenishing the cabin with fresh air in less than two minutes. Aircraft offers the lowest direct operating costs in its class through affordable maintenance programs, low parts cost and longer maintenance intervals. At NBAA-BACE Bombadier announced the first customer of the new aircraft - Les Goldberg, chairman and CEO of Entertainment Technology Partners. At the same time, Bombardier representatives tells that 20 new Challengers are already ordered.
Then goes 5th place with Collins Aerospace acquisition of the FlightAware.
Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies business, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held FlightAware, a leading digital aviation company providing global flight tracking solutions, predictive technology, analytics and decision-making tools. FlightAware will join Collins’ Information Management Services portfolio within the company’s Avionics strategic business unit. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “Global connectivity now shapes and impacts every segment of aviation. FlightAware is the recognized leader in data collection, analytics and customer experience, which will help Collins unlock the full power of the connected ecosystem for our customers,” said Dave Nieuwsma, Collins Aerospace’s head of Avionics.
Aerion Ceasing Operations – this is the 4th place of this top.
Aerion company officially announced ceasing of operations and development of the AS2 supersonic business jet. Company could not attract enough funds to finish the project. The company already spent $1bn to develop the AS2’s engine. The aircraft development was estimated to cost approximately $4bn for the company. In January 2020, Aerion revealed that it planned the first AS2 jet flight to take place by 2024 and start commercial operations in 2026.
The 3rd place of our rating goes to Business aviation fighting pre-covid level!
Wingx reported that in July 2021, sectors has 13% more activity than the same period in 2019 and 44% up on last year. In the United States, business jet activity sows 27% growth in comparison with July 2019, breaking historic records. Sector activity in Europe became from 5% to 50% higher depending on country. Outside the US and Europe, business jet sectors are up 8% this month versus July 2019. Figures don’t lie and it’s clearly now that business aviation came back to normal and is ready to reach new heights.
At the 2nd place stays the end of production of the Bombardier Learjet Production.
Bombardier announced it is ceasing production of its iconic Learjet aircraft to focus on its “more profitable Challenger and Global aircraft families.” The production of Learjet should come to the end by 4ht quarter 2021. Since 1963 when the aircraft entered in service Bombardier delivered more than 3000 aircraft. Company says it will continue to support the Learjet fleet with the launch of its Learjet RACER re-manufacturing program for Learjet 40 and 45 aircraft — offered in Bombardier’s service center in Wichita, Kansas. RACER program includes a bundled set of enhancements, including interior and exterior components, new avionics, high-speed connectivity, engine enhancements, and improved aircraft maintenance costs.
The leader of our rating is Wheels UP that was successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
In July Wheels Up was listed on the New York Stock Exchange becoming the first company from private aviation industry listed at Stock Exchnge. The company is traded under symbol "UP". Trade on the first day was strong for what became officially as "Wheels Up Experience" when it saw volume close to 7 000 000 shares changing hands. The stock opened at $11.08 and ranged from $9.32 to $15.00 before closing at $11.51. Interest in UP was so intense on the first day of trading that the NYSE initiated two five-minute “Limit Up-Limit Down ” pauses because of the extreme volatility. “Today is a special milestone for Wheels Up,” said Kenny Dichter, Wheels Up founder and CEO. “Since our 2013 launch, it has been our mission to create a dynamic platform to democratize private aviation making it possible for significantly more people to experience private flying. We are honored to be a public company on the NYSE, and we look forward to taking our disruptive marketplace global.”
