Business Jet Market Update
Despite the recession, most new models still seem likely to be certified and delivered on schedule
By Matt Thurber - August 1, 2009
While the recession has certainly affected business jet manufacturers, only one aircraft program has been suspended so far: Cessna’s large-cabin Citation Columbus. Honda Aircraft has added a one-year delay to its HondaJet project and the Cirrus Vision and Diamond D-Jet single-engine jets will enter service later than expected, but other new aircraft planned by Cessna, Embraer, Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft and Spectrum Aeronautical are moving toward certification.
Cessna launched the Columbus program last January, outlining plans for the company’s largest business jet, one capable of carrying eight passengers 4,000 nautical miles at Mach .80. A unique Columbus feature was a lower cabin altitude than business jets typically offer, providing a more comfortable environment pressurized to 6,700 feet when flying at 45,000 feet. About 300 employees were working on the Columbus program when Cessna suspended it; a few remain to make sure that the work done thus far is preserved in case the manufacturer decides to restart the project.
Cessna’s other new jet, the Citation CJ4, remains on track to enter service in 2010. In May, Cessna announced mating of the fuselage and wing on CJ4 Serial Number 003, the first to be produced on the company’s new CJ4 assembly line. The $8 million airplane will fly 1,825 nautical miles and can cruise at up to 435 knots.
Embraer is moving ahead with three new airplane programs, rapidly catching up to Cessna as a manufacturer of a full line of business jets. Embraer’s $6.65 million Phenom 300 light jet should achieve FAA certification by the end of this year. Then in 2012 and 2013, respectively, the company’s midsize Legacy 450 ($15.25 million) and 500 ($18.4 million) should be certified and enter service. The slightly longer 500 will offer range of 3,000 nautical miles, compared with 2,300 for the Model 450.
Honda Aircraft has not been immune to the effects of the recession and has announced delays for the first flight of its next prototype for the $3.9 million HondaJet and the projected first customer delivery date. The second prototype was expected to have flown by now, but that has been shifted to January. The first customer delivery is now scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011, at least a year later than originally planned. Honda Aircraft blamed “global aerospace industry business challenges,” which “resulted in a delay in receiving critical components for conforming aircraft production.” A consolation for HondaJet buyers is that the manufacturer has suspended progress payments during the delay period.
Spectrum Aeronautical is moving ahead with its all-composite $6.795 million S.40 Freedom twinjet, but first flight of the next prototype will now likely shift to early next year, followed by FAA certification 12 to 18 months later. Previously, Spectrum announced that deliveries would begin in 2010. The S.40 will seat nine passengers in a stand-up cabin. Cruise speed is 435 knots and range is 2,030 nautical miles.
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