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FlyCorporate Survey: Which aircraft will actually take-off?
This year FlyCorporate is asking our readers to vote which of our aircraft in development you think will actually make it to the market. Click on the Vote button to select the aircraft you would like to see in the air. You can vote for more than one aircraft. The results will be published in the May edition of FlyCorporate.
Bell/Agusta BA609 Tiltrotor
Two BA609 prototypes have accumulated over 400 hours of test flying, and two more test aircraft will start flying in 2010 to keep the programme moving. The corners of the flight envelope have been tested; the additional prototypes will help fill in the middle, even as systems and avionics and interiors evolve.
Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner VIP
An easy choice of aircraft that will make it to market as the composite 787 took its first flight on 15 December 2009. Depending on the model, range is between 7,650 and 8,500 nautical miles (14,200 to 15,750 kilometres) at Mach .85.
Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental VIP
Boeing’s biggest BBJ boasts everything: range, speed, capacity. Whether outfitted to fly a few hundred of your closest associates, or built as the best flying command centre in the world, the 747-8 Intercontinental will guarantee top billing at any airport.
Bombardier Learjet 85
Announced in October 2007, the Learjet 85 will be the first all-composite business jet to be certified by the FAA. The second proof of concept fuselage is now complete, as is wind-tunnel testing. The first flight has not been scheduled, but customer deliveries are now pegged to begin in 2013.
Cessna Citation CJ4
The first production aircraft has now rolled off the assembly line in Wichita, and CJ4 performance figures notably moved upwards since early announcements. The CJ4 test aircraft have flown more than 1,000 flights and accumulated more than 1,600 flight hours toward anticipated type certification and deliveries in the first half of 2010.
Cirrus Vision SF50
In 2009, the SF50 accumulated over 250 flight test hours. Cirrus continues to develop and test systems. During 2009, the outer mould lines for the wing and fuselage were adjusted for lower drag, increased range, and higher cruise speed.
Comp Air 12
The prototype has been flying over two years, accumulating over 500 hours without design-related problems. There are no orders yet as Comp Air is only accepting letters of intent at this stage. The Comp Air 12 is priced at $2.95 M (€2.05 M). Deliveries are expected to start in 2012.
D-Jet
With a third prototype now flying, flight tests are validating the promised range and speed. New Williams FJ33-5A engines have replaced the old -4A-15 in the third prototype. The new price (August 2009) of $1.89 M (€1.32 M) adjusts for the more-powerful engine and Garmin’s Synthetic Vision, now standard.
Embraer Legacy 450 and 500
With the Preliminary Design Review process and the Joint Definition Phase (JDP) complete, Embraer has already filed the initial documentation for its certification application with the regulatory agency of Brazil (ANAC). With four passengers the Legacy 450’s range is 2,300 nm (4,260 km) while the Legacy 500 will take you 3,000 nm (5,560 km).
Embraer Legacy 600
During 2009 Embraer announced a significant upgrade for the Legacy 600’s avionics system, the Primus Elite. Positioned as a super mid-size jet, the Legacy 600 is based on the Embraer ERJ 145 platform, with 15MM+ hours on more than 1,000 aircraft. The Legacy 600 is the only super mid-size certified to operate from London City and Cannes-Mandelieu airports.
Embraer Legacy 650
The only truly new model to make the FlyCorporate list in 2010. Announced in October at NBAA 2009, the Legacy 650 features an additional 500 nm (926 km) in range compared to the Legacy 600, which positions this airplane right in the large jet category. The Legacy 650 is expected to be certified by mid-2010
Evektor EV-55 Outback
The prototype airframe of this new cabin-class twin turboprop is almost complete, and first flight is scheduled during Q2 of 2010. This will be followed by three years of flight testing and certification. Deliveries are anticipated late 2012 or early 2013, depending on Evektor’s ability to find a business or financial partner for production start-up.
Gulfstream G250
Gulfstream’s eventual replacement for the G200, the G250 is larger, faster, and more-economical, with a maximum range of 3,400 nm (6,297 km) at Mach .8. (maximum cruise is Mach .85.) The G250 made its first flight on 11 December 2009 with customer deliveries anticipated for the second half of 2011.
Gulfstream G650
Gulfstream has begun a new market category for the all-new G650. Just over 30 meters long and wide, the aircraft will have a normal cruise speed of Mach .85 (or Mach .90) and a 7,000 nm (12,964 km) range. The G650 made its first flight on 25 November 2009, and completed its first series of flight tests on 4 December.
HondaJet
The prototype HondaJet, with its metal wings and wide-cabin, natural-laminar-flow composite fuselage, accumulated an additional 100 flight hours in 2009, bringing today’s total to over 500. Delays with deliveries of critical components have postponed first flight to early 2010 with first customer deliveries pushed to Q4 2011.
PiperJet
Flying since July 2008, and now with over 250 hours of flight test in its book, the PiperJet has completed its low-speed testing regimen with no troubles. Recently Piper announced the aircraft will be equipped witht the new Garmin G3000 deck, which has not changed the announced price of $2.2 M (€2.05 M). Deliveries are now planned for Q2 of 2013.
Spectrum Aeronautical S.33 Independence
Spectrum’s S.33 Independence light jet utilises the company’s advanced composite construction to dramatically reduce weight and fuel consumption. With non-stop range of more than 2,000 nm (3,704 km), single-pilot operation and speeds up to 425 KTAS (787 kph) the S.33 will provide a broad range of mission flexibility.
Spectrum Aeronautical S.40 Freedom
Spectrum has completed the first of several Fuselage Manufacturing Demonstrators (FMD) of this mid-size twin jet. The lightweight construction, combined with the new GE-Honda Aero HF120 fanjets should allow the S.40 to use up to 40% less fuel than comparable-sized jets. First flight is now scheduled for 2011, with deliveries beginning in 2012.
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