Flying » New Business Aircraft Preview

Robinson Helicopter's R66
June 1, 2011
Two days after the second turbine-powered Robinson R66 made its first flight in 2009, Robinson Helicopter CEO Frank Robinson still had little good to say about small turbine-powered helicopters.
Cessna's Citation Mustang
April 1, 2011
Cessna improved its odds of market ­success by embracing the tried and true.
Four years ago, when I last wrote about the Cessna Citation Mustang entry-level twin jet, customer deliveries had just begun. Since then, more than 500 have been ordered and about 300 have been delivered. I've had a chance to log some simulator, cockpit and cabin time and talk to several happy Mustang owners.
Hawker Beechcraft's King Air 250
February 1, 2011
While the King Air 250’s performance is impressive, you can enhance it even f
Hawker Beechcraft took the wraps off its latest 200 series King Air last October. Deliveries of the King Air 250 turboprop will begin later this year.
Gulfstream's G250
December 1, 2010
All major cabin systems in the G250 are redundant so that no single-point fai
Gulfstream acquired the super-midsize G200 when it bought Galaxy Aerospace in 2001. The aircraft offered a unique value because its ovoid fuselage actually allows for more headroom than a full-size Gulfstream GIV (with a tube that is only two inches narrower), seating for eight to 10 passengers, true transcontinental range, a 45,000-foot ceiling and a top speed of Mach 0.85.
Boeing's BBJ 3
October 1, 2010
Why would anyone need a BBJ 3? I got the answer a few years ago while touring
PLANETARIUM CEILINGS, gold-plated bidets and Louis XIV interiors may have fallen out of fashion for new Boeing Business Jets in this economy, but you can sum up the latest version of this private uber barge in one word: more. 
Embraer's Phenom 300
August 1, 2010
The Phenom 300 boasts a sustained 4,000-foot-per-minute climb rate.
Embraer entered the light jet market in 2005, promising more for less, and the $8.14 million Phenom 300 delivers. It's fast, has long legs and sports a well-equipped, comfortable cabin with an array of options typically found only in airplanes costing millions more. The Phenom 300 was certified late last year.
What jet makers have in store
July 1, 2010
The $7.065 million Premier II is Hawker Beechcraft's follow-on to the Premier
The people who build airplanes believe better times are coming. So do many analysts, who predict that aircraft sales will gain momentum by the middle of next year. When that happens, manufacturers will be ready because they have continued to fund research and development of new airplanes.
Cessna's Citation Cj4
June 1, 2010
The CJ4’s peppy engines allow it to cruise at 453 knots and climb directly to
Cessna delivered the first Citation CJ4 (Model 525C) in April after wrapping up a rigorous flight-test program that included 1,000 sorties and more than 1,600 hours in the air since the airplane's first flight in May 2008.
Gulfstream's G650
April 1, 2010
This design philosophy means not only lower fuel burns but impressive potenti
Gulfstream's G650, which the company will start delivering in 2012, will be the world's fastest and longest range business jet. Its tall and wide-bodied cabin-the largest in the company's fleet-will boast the latest in comfort and convenience features.
Bell Helicopter's Bell 429
February 1, 2010
The Bell 429 has inherited some systems and parts from earlier Bell helicopte
You need good reasons to travel by helicopter. Compared with an airplane of similar size, a helicopter costs more to buy, lease, rent, charter and operate. So why bother with one?

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Quote/Unquote

“You want to make sure with a race in which you'll be flying home with other drivers that you don't crash into them. It's happened before, and it can make for a little bit of a tense situation.”

-Racecar driver Helio Castroneves