The two-seat model is primarily designed for flight training and owns European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) CS-23 and FAA Part 23 certification. It is now certified under Transport Canada’s Part V Subpart 21, allowing Tecnam to begin deliveries to private owners and flight training organizations in the country.

Designed to train students from first flight until they earn their commercial pilot license, the P-Mentor includes a variable pitch propeller, simulated retractable landing gear, and ballistic parachute. It also comes with a Garmin touchscreen and avionics and is powered by a Rotax 912iSc3 engine.

The model supports both VFR and IFR training at a cost of operation of just 89 Canadian dollars ($64.71) per hour, by Tecnam’s estimate. That efficiency enables it to fly for about nine hours between refuelings.

The company also claims the P-Mentor can reduce flight school emissions by as much as 60 percent. The aircraft could represent a fresh injection into a fleet of training aircraft that is largely aging.

“We look forward to working with all the Canadian flight schools to improve the quality of training and support lowering hourly rates,” said Giovanni Pascale Langer, managing director of Tecnam.

During last year’s EAA AirVenture, Tecnam introduced the P-Mentor in North America after agreeing to a deal with EpicSky Flight Academy for the purchase of 15 aircraft. The company earned full FAA Part 23 certification just a few months later. It started U.S. deliveries in June, beginning with a shipment to Kansas-based Kilo Charlie Aviation.

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Enz started his flying adventure with a discovery flight in 2010. At the time, his career in construction management (and graduate school) made it challenging to pound out flight training, but he stuck with it. While moving around the country for work, he continued his flight training at locations in Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Colorado, eventually persevering from private to CFII.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought construction projects to a halt, Enz found himself at a crossroad with a decision to make: Embark on a totally new career as a licensed financial planner or figure out how to make flying pay the bills better than it did as a CFI. He chose the road that eventually led him to flying Part 135 and Part 91 operations in a Hawker 800. 

Enz had already been a FLYING Magazine subscriber for a few years when the Ultimate Giveaway was conceived. As a loyal subscriber, he was automatically, if not unwittingly, entered in the sweepstakes. And you already know how this ends—he won, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

FLYING staff reached out to Enz to share the wonderful news of his good fortune in April. Having received the notification just the day before his PIC check ride for the Hawker 800, he had other things on his mind and believed he was “being scammed.” His email response to being notified that he won a sweepstake  he didn’t realize he’d entered was simply “not interested.”

After a bit of convincing, some due diligence, and vetting, Enz came around to the realization that this was not too good to be true and, in fact, he had arrived at yet another crossroad: Take delivery of a new aircraft or laugh all the way to the bank.

At this point in his flying career, owning a light aircraft isn’t in the cards as a busy, often out-of-town professional pilot slipping through the flight levels in a Hawker spooled up to 0.65 Mach. 

Fortunately, the Ultimate Giveaway, unlike other sweepstakes, afforded the winner an opportunity to choose between two very cool aircraft—a Tecnam Astore and an ICON A-5—or cash out with a truckload of legal tender. As you might imagine, since Enz hails from the Show Me State, he followed the lead of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character Rod Tidwell in the 1996 movie Jerry Maquire and opted for FLYING to “Show me the money.”

The $100,000 cash option was the best fit for Enz. That makes perfect sense because we all know what makes an aircraft fly—money. He did mention the idea of possibly using some of his winnings to pursue a seaplane endorsement. As you’ll soon read in the July/August issue of FLYING Magazine, many pilots have an attraction to water, so adding a SES rating is a common bucket-list item.

We congratulate Enz on his good fortune and wish him well in his professional and recreational flying career. We also thank everyone who participated in the Ultimate Giveaway, even if you weren’t aware that you did, we’re looking out for you. Afterall, who wouldn’t like to get a call from FLYING notifying you that you just won a new aircraft?

Stay tuned, something fun is always just over the horizon—it will no doubt be equally exciting. That hardest part will be determining what to call it so it surpasses Ultimate.

The post Missouri Pilot Opts for Cash in Ultimate FLYING Giveaway appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to Tecnam, the company is now on track to begin deliveries to U.S. flight schools.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Tecnam P-Mentor

“The FAA certification of the P-Mentor is another significant milestone for the Tecnam team,” said  Giovanni Pascale Langer, Tecnam managing director. “We look forward to working with all U.S. flight schools to improve the quality of training and help them keep hourly rates low.” 

The performance specs of the Tecnam P-Mentor put its hourly fuel consumption at 3.7 U.S. gallons per hour.

• READ MORE: Tecnam Signs Deals for HCH Aviation Fleet Transition

Deliveries of the aircraft in North America will begin soon, with the first 20 going to HCH Aviation/Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Deliveries will also be made to Kilo Charlie Aviation in New Century, Kansas, and EpicSky Flight Academy in Des Moines, Iowa.

About the P-Mentor

The two-place P-Mentor sports a Rotax 912isC3, with a variable pitch propeller, simulated retractable landing gear, and optional ballistic parachute. The cockpit features a Garmin G3X IFR touchscreen suite compliant with the latest CS-23 EASA and FAA amendments. The aircraft is designed to take a learner from private pilot and instrument training up through commercial certification on a single platform.

According to Capua, Italy-based Tecnam, the P-Mentor is one of the most environmentally efficient designs available, with very low carbon dioxide emissions. 

“Recent study shows that flight schools operating with Tecnam single- and twin-engine fleets can reduce emissions by up to 60 percent: 10 tons of CO2 for each student by the time they receive their commercial pilot license,” the company said in a statement.

The post Tecnam P-Mentor Earns Full Part 23 FAA Certification appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to Tecnam, FlyBy, which already has a fleet of 31 aircraft, has placed an order for an additional 10 Tecnam P2008JCs and two Tecnam P2006T NGs. It is the largest order from the flight school and more orders are scheduled for 2025, the manufacturer said.

• READ MORE: Tecnam Unveils P2006T NG at AERO 2024

Located in Burgos, Spain, FlyBy serves more than 350 students from 108 countries. The 14-month program prepares the learners for careers in aviation in Europe. To accommodate its growing enrollment, FlyBy recently opened a new base in Logrono, Spain, that will take delivery of 16 more Tecnam airplanes this year.

“We have chosen Tecnam for our fleet for its modern design and low operational costs,” said FlyBy CEO Alex Alvarez,. “There is nothing comparable to the P2006T in the market. Its quality, capabilities, and total cost of ownership, acquisition and operational cost, are second to none.”

• READ MORE: We Fly: Tecnam P-Mentor

Said Walter Da Costa, Tecnam chief sales officer:“We are pleased to support the growth of modern flight schools such as FlyBy. Commercial operators urgently need pilots trained on modern aircraft with glass cockpits and the latest instrumental procedures.”

FlyBy’s current fleet includes eight Tecnam P2008JCs, three P2006Ts, three P2002JFs, and two P-Mentors.

In the past 10 years Tecnam has been growing in popularity with flight training operations all over the world. The aircraft are built with carbon fiber and equipped with Rotax engines and glass cockpit technology, resulting in a tough, reliable, fuel-efficient design that can withstand the rigors of the training environment.

The post FlyBy Places Order for 12 Tecnam Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to the company, the new design is the result of listening to customer suggestions, which led to “more than 300 improvements of the current P2006T MkII.”

• READ MORE: Continental Unveils CD-170R Rotorcraft-specific Heavy Fuel Engine 

Among the changes, according to the company, is an additional front door for the copilot and external access to the baggage compartment. Windows have been redesigned and are larger for improved visibility.

“The powerplant is now provided by twin fuel-injected Rotax 9121Sc3 engines, offering high-altitude efficiency and reduced fuel consumption of 14 liters per hour, [3.7 gallons per hour] per engine,” Tecnam said.

The aircraft integrates wing position and anticollision LED lights into the winglets. Inside, a central console houses the FMS GCU477 keyboard for management of all Garmin avionics, including the GFC700 three-axis autopilot and the G1000 NXi.

• READ MORE: Caribbean Charter Set to Be Tecnam P2012 STOL Launch Customer

Tecnam is also offering a super-premium version in the form of the P2006 NG Sport. This lux variant borrows heavily from Italian sports cars, featuring a handcrafted black leather interior that includes Alcantara headliners, plush moquette seats, and leather side walls.

The post Tecnam Unveils P2006T NG at AERO 2024 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to Tecnam, the short field capabilities of the 11-place aircraft make it the perfect platform for a unique environment such as the West Indies.

Designed as a commuter and cargo aircraft, the P2012 STOL will be used for scheduled service from Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (TFFR) in Guadeloupe to Gustaf III Airport (TFFJ) in St. Barth. The aircraft will be the first to be operated under the Air Inter Iles brand by St Barth Executive, with three flights per day and up to six flights per day during the high season.

The flight is less than an hour and will allow travel between islands that were previously only accessible by boat.

• READ MORE: EASA Certifies Tecnam P2012 Traveller STOL Variant

“We are delighted that St Barth Executive has chosen the P2012 STOL,” Giovanni Pascale, Tecnam managing director, said in a statement. “It is the right aircraft for their operations. We are proud to see our aircraft landing at this iconic airport.” 

The P2012 STOL is a turbocharged, twin-engine high wing aircraft that can be flown single pilot. Designers say the cabin is ergonomic and has excellent leg room and underseat storage.

“We are thrilled to begin a new era for St Barth Executive with new scheduled services betweenGuadeloupe and St. Barth,” said Vincent Beauvarlet, president of St Barth Executive. “We have been waiting for more than 10 years for a type of aircraft capable of flying between our islands, with very specific runways.” 

The airline also operates a fleet of Pilatus PC-12 NG/NGX.

• READ MORE: Kenai Aviation Adds Tecnam P2012 to Alaskan Fleet

Beauvarlet noted that the runways are short and very technical, requiring both an appropriate STOL aircraft and a pilot with good short field skills. The capability of the P2012 STOL allows St Barth Executive to expand its operation.

“No business plan was realistic until the launch of the P2012 STOL for our islands and the passenger, cargo, and medevac activities we need to develop,” Beauvarlet said.

The post Caribbean Charter Set to Be Tecnam P2012 STOL Launch Customer appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

During a press conference at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo (SNF) on Thursday in Lakeland, Florida, the Italian aircraft manufacturer announced HCH Aviation, a Part 141 school based in Nacogdoches, Texas, is transitioning to an all-Tecnam fleet.

According to Tecnam, the school, which is operated in partnership with Stephen F. Austin State University, uses twin-engine P2006Ts for multiengine training. HCH Aviation has ordered 15 of the single-engine Tecnam P-Mentors to augment its fleet. At the present time the school has 75 students—a number expected to double within the coming year.

• READ MORE: Oregon Flight School to Buy 10 Piper Aircraft

“Tecnam has been a wonderful partner in assisting our team in our aircraft needs,” said Kristen Conklin, HCH Aviation president. “Having a standardized fleet using Tecnam makes complete sense for our team from both a business and training perspective.”

Tecnam Aircraft to Brazil

Tecnam and EJ Escola Aeronautica Civil have announced a letter of intention for the Brazilian flight school to add 30 Tecnam P92 MkIIs to its fleet. The school is particularly intrigued by the aircraft’s state-of-the-art glass cockpit designs.

EJ Escola Aeronautica, based in São Paulo, has been training pilots since 1999. It boasts more than 60 aircraft in the fleet, which are spread out in three locations.

Tecnam noted the P92’s short-field performance, excellent climb and efficiency are now combined with the MkII’s composite fuselage for improved cruise performance. The cabin volume has also been increased to allow for wider seats, additional forward and aft adjustment, and improved ergonomics.

The aircraft are equipped with advanced Garmin G3X touch avionics and available with synthetic vision and ground proximity warning, providing additional navigation and situational awareness.

“Tecnam is our choice to take EJ into the new era of modern flying, where fuel efficiency, sustainability, digital technology, and good flight characteristics are a must,” said Josué de Andrade, director and co-founder of EJ Escola Aeronautica Civil.

Said Walter Da Costa, Tecnam’s chief sales officer: “We are very pleased that the most important flight school in Brazil has chosen Tecnam to replace and upgrade its fleet. Today’s students are very demanding and deserve brand new aircraft with the latest technology.”

Throughout the industry there has been an initiative to reduce carbon emissions in aviation, both at the airline level and at flight schools. One of the selling points for the Tecnam designs is its relatively green operation.

According to the company, flight schools operating Tecnam’s single- and twin- engine fleets can save as much as 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions for every single student graduated with a commercial pilot certificate, which represents a 60 percent reduction compared to fleets using 100LL fuel in 155 flight hours.

Kenai Aviation Adds Tecnam to Fleet

Flight schools are not the only entities relying on Tecnam for fleet operations. During a press conference at SNF, Tecnam and Kenai Aviation announced the Alaska-based operator has added a third Tecnam P2012 Traveller to its fleet.

The first P2012 Traveller entered into service with Kenai Aviation in 2022, coming immediately after the delivery ceremony at the Sun ‘n Fun. The second P2012 was delivered a year later. 

The twin-engine aircraft have been used to transport passengers and freight, and according to Kenai Aviation officials, the Traveller is the “aircraft of choice” for the short haul operations in the Anchorage area.

• READ MORE: Tecnam Delivers P2012 To Kenai Aviation at Sun ‘n Fun

The Traveller is a turbocharged twin-engine high-wing aircraft that can be used for freight or to transport nine passengers with one or two pilots. The aircraft is equipped with TKS deicing capabilities, which is a must in Alaska’s challenging and dynamic weather environment.

“Our third P2012 is the proof we have found the aircraft that is perfectly suited for our commuter markets in the state of Alaska,” Joel Caldwell, Kenai Aviation CEO and owner, said in a statement. “The P2012, designed specifically to meet the needs of our scheduled commuter markets in south central Alaska, has exceeded our expectations.”

The post Tecnam Signs Deals for HCH Aviation Fleet Transition appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to Tecnam, the P2012 STOL is designed specifically to operate at airports and airstrips characterized by “extremely short runways with demanding operational constraints.”

The aircraft, while designed as STOL, still maintains “a 99 percent commonality of parts with the standard P2012 Traveller series aircraft” and still manages to fill the needs of a niche market that relies on a certain level of performance and flexibility, the company said.

About the Aircraft

The P2012 STOL is a twin-piston aircraft with a maximum gross weight of 8,113 pounds and  useful load of 2,831 pounds. It can be configured for up to nine passengers with amenities such as USB ports, individual air outlets, dedicated reading light, seat pockets, and cup and mobile phone holders.

The multimission capability of the aircraft allows it to go from a passenger carrier to air ambulance or cargo hauler within minutes.

• READ MORE: Tecnam P2012 STOL on Track for 2023 Certification

The cockpit features a G1000 NXi avionic system, GFC700 specifically tuned autopilot, and ADS-B In/Out. The flight deck features connectivity with Bluetooth, Flight Stream, Iridium along with weather radar, stormscope, inset map, and ForeFlight Synthetic Vision.

The aircraft also has a wider cabin than other STOL in its class, according to the Italian manufacturer.

Aircraft Performance

According to Tecnam, at the maximum takeoff weight of 8,113 pounds, the P2012 STOL can lift off in 1,033 feet, clearing a 50-foot obstacle in 1,394 feet. The landing distance over an obstacle is reported to be 1,181 feet.

With the production aircraft already in the final stage of the assembly line, the P2012 STOL is ready for the first deliveries to customers, the company said.

The aircraft is scheduled to be on display at Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida on April 9-14.

The post EASA Certifies Tecnam P2012 Traveller STOL Variant appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Introduced in 2006, the Tecnam P2006T Twin has become a recognized option for flight training globally, serving prestigious institutions and private owners alike. Notably, the aircraft facilitates multiengine piston training at a noticeably lower cost compared to older twin-engine counterparts.

Bartolini Air managing director Bartlomiej Walas, expressed the historical significance. 

“If you are a passenger of Ryanair or another major European airline, it’s quite likely that your pilot made his or her first multiengine IFR flight in a shiny Tecnam P2006T at Bartolini Air,” said Walas.

• READ MORE: Tecnam Celebrates 75 Years of Passion for Aircraft Design

Since the acquisition of the first P2006T in its fleet, Bartolini Air now operates 15 Tecnam aircraft, with an additional five scheduled to join in early 2024. The company said this expansion aims to meet the rising demand for comprehensive training programs, providing more than 12,000 flight training hours annually and producing pilots for leading global airlines.

Walter Da Costa, chief sales officer at Tecnam, attributed the success of the P2006T Twin to the company’s commitment to offering unparalleled value, low operating costs, innovative design, and distinctive Italian styling. Da Costa pointed out that the Rotax engines contribute to the aircraft’s environmental viability, delivering remarkable fuel savings and significantly lower noise emissions.

The post Tecnam’s 400th P2006T Twin Lands at Bartolini Air appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Since Citation Excel deliveries began in 1998, Textron Aviation (née Cessna Aircraft) has delivered more than 1,100 units, making it the firm’s most successful jet in its 96-year history. Based on the XLS series, the newest iteration of the model, the Ascend, offers a number of features designed to extend the winning streak, including the more fuel efficient Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D turbofans, an upgrade from the Collins Pro Line 21 to Garmin G5000 avionics with standard auto-throttles, increased payload, and more range. Scheduled maintenance interval shave been stretched to 800 flight hours or 18 months, whichever comes first.

The Ascend has new and larger flight deck and cabin windows, upgraded passenger seats, and improved acoustical insulation to soak up sound. The 8-inch dropped aisle has been filled in to create a flat floor. However, the dropped aisle remains an option for customers needing more center cabin headroom.

The Honeywell RE100 now is approved for unattended operation, freeing both flight crewmembers to focus on essential preflight chores. A host of other upgrades endows the Ascend with levels of comfort, quiet, convenience, and connectivity on par with Textron Aviation’s larger super-midsize aircraft. First deliveries are set to begin in 2025.

—With reporting by Fred George

Dassault Falcon 10X

The growth of the Dassault Aviation infrastructure at the Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (LFBD) in western France can be attributed to the success of the Rafale fighter series, and the Falcon 7X and 8X, as well as the recent introduction of the 6X—and its upcoming big brother, the 10X. Dassault began parts assembly in 2022 to pre-pare for the final assembly of the first test articles underway this year. The all-composite wing is being built at a dedicated facility in Biarritz.

The 10X, announced in 2021, has had a long slow buildup, fitting for a jet that will be the largest built by Dassault and introduce the largest cabin of any jet purpose-built for the business aviation sector. That cabin features a new design path for the company, breaking out of the traditional mold with bold colorways and seating that looks more like that of a penthouse living room than an aluminum tube. It has already received several nods in international design competitions, including the Red Dot award from the Design Society of the U.K.

With a range of 7,500 nm at Mach 0.85—and a top speed of Mach 0.925—the 10X is powered by a pair of bespoke Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X powerplants rated at 18,000 pounds of thrust apiece and able to run on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). On the flight deck, the 10X gives pilots the FalconEye combined vision system, as well as carrying over the digital flight control system (DFCS) made popular on the 7X. As the Dassault pilots finish up flight tests on the 6X and move to the first 10X test platform later this year, perhaps, we’re certainly eyeing them with envy.

Dassault Falcon 6X

Long before pilots will get their hands on the DFCS sticks of the 10X, however, Dassault’s Falcon 6X will entice them to the flight deck. Now type certified under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the FAA, the 6X leads the next generation of Falcons with its dual Pratt& Whitney PW812D engines. Rated at up to 14,000 pounds thrust, the powerplants propel the wide-body, long-range 6X to a range of up to 5,500 nm at Mach 0.80 and a max cruise speed of Mach 0.925.

The 6X preserves the relative short-field performance of its predecessors, with the capability to operate out of 3,000-foot runways with a partial fuel load.

The balanced field length for takeoff is 5,480 feet under ISA conditions at sea level and at the maximum takeoff weight of 77,460 pounds.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Dassault Falcon 6X

The 6X showed off its graceful, powerful ability to maneuver at the Paris Air Show in late June at the hands of pilots Philippe Duchateau and Fabrice Valette. Visitors to the display could sit on the flight deck and witness the four large-format displays, two tablets mounted on either pilot side, and roundly shaped pedestals from which to stabilize while entering data into the flight management system. It’s a well-thought-out cockpit design, with pilot-friendly touches in and around the instrument panel, such as EFB mounts. We watched passersby stroll in front of the nose through the head-up display with the FalconEye cutting through the gray and bringing everything ahead of the airplane into sharp focus.

Gulfstream G700

The race to certify the next long-range mount looked neck-in-neck between the Falcon 6X and the Gulfstream G700. With its paperwork filed and everything over but the shouting, the bird from Savannah, Georgia, first announced in 2019 is expected to begin deliveries in the first quarter of 2024.

The G700, which takes its strength from the Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 powerplants, can carry up to 19 passengers—and sleep up to 13—in as many as five flexible living spaces. The 7,500 nm range (at Mach 0.85) puts it squarely in the ultralong category, routinely cruising at 45,000 to 49,000 feet. In the conclusion of the flight test program, the G700 continued to set city-pair speed records. It flew into the European Business Aviation Conference and Expo (EBACE) and Paris on up to 30 percent SAF and marked a memorable flight from Savannah to Tokyo on SAF at an average speed of Mach 0.89.

And what’s in it for the pilot? A familiar Symmetry Flight Deck up front, paired with Gulfstream’s Enhanced Flight System, that you’d find on theG500 and G600, making the G700 a straightforward transition for aviators stepping up.

Gulfstream G800

The higher model number ascribed to the Gulfstream G800—sister ship to the G700—refers to the increase in range customers can expect when the platform debuts in a couple of years. Yes, topping the charts at 8,000 nm, the G800 achieves this on the same wing as the G700 by shortening the length of the fuselage and reducing the number of living areas to four.

The G800, currently in the heart of its flight test program, achieves the target distance powered by the same Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 powerplants, at 18,250 pounds of thrust each, at Mach 0.85. If you want to go faster—and sacrifice 1,000 nm of range—push it up to Mach 0.90. Or just get there fast by taking a shorter segment at Mach 0.925.

Gulfstream’s flight test crew flew the first test article with a finished interior—used for proving those components in worldwide environments and operating conditions—to the Paris Air Show.

A second test aircraft first flew on July 15 on a blend of 30 percent SAF and reached a top speed of Mach 0.935 during the mission.

Sitting up front, the familiar Symmetry Flight Deck offers pilots a total of 10 display screens up front—four large-format ones across the front left to right, and six smaller touchscreen displays that can be configured in nearly endless ways depending on the phase of flight, pilot preference, or during abnormal and emergency operations.

The predictive landing performance system works in the background to help prevent runway overruns—though the G800 is projected to mark a6,000 takeoff distance at its max gross weight of 105,600 pounds.

Gulfstream G400

Close kin to the G500 and G600, Gulfstream’s next answer to the large-cabin midsize question, the G400, takes its lineage from its bigger siblings. The OEM stretched the fuselage to 36 feet, 4 inches and leveraged Symmetry Flight Deck technology from the larger models to create an advanced jet boasting a best-in-class cabin cross section with up to 2.5 living areas, with 100 percent fresh air that is refreshed every two minutes.

Those fortunate passengers (up to 12, sleeping as many as five) will enjoy the G400’s projected 4,200 nm range at Mach 0.85 settings—that’s Geneva to Minneapolis—and a top speed of Mach 0.90 and a maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 feet. And that’s done more efficiently than on previous Gulfstream models. The combination of the advanced Pratt &Whitney PW812GA powerplants, wing with improved aerodynamics, and avionics management should realize up to 30 percent in greater fuel efficiency as compared to a G450 on a hypothetical 3,000 nm journey with eight passengers at Mach 0.85.

The G400 is in development alongside the G800, with its first test aircraft delivered internally and poised for a first flight later this year. Gulfstream predicts the airplane’s entry into service will be in 2025.

Bombardier Global 8000

The gauntlet thrown down in the ultralong-range market appears to be a spitting match between the Gulfstream G800 and Bombardier’s latest entrant in the Global series, the 8000. Yes, that 8000 translates directly into the expected range of the new luxury plat-form—but the Montreal-based OEM wants to not just equal but win on speed. Try Mach 0.94, according to the manufacturer’s latest claims.

And it wants to achieve that speed without sacrificing passenger comfort. Bombardier has developed what it calls the Smooth Flex Wing to blend control and agility with the ability to ride the bumps well. Like its competitors from Savannah, the 8000’s max altitude is 51,000 feet, and it will maintain a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet at FL410. Up front, the Bombardier Vision flight deck on the Global 7500 will assist pilots in managing both short and long segments. Four large-format displays sit between two EFB mounts, supplemented by the head-up display available for both the left and right seat. A fully loaded Global 8000—at 114,850 pounds—is anticipated to need just 5,760 feet for takeoff, with a landing distance of 2,237 feet.

HondaJet 2600/Echelon

In a follow-up to the introduction of the HondaJet 2600 concept—recently rebranded as the HondaJet Echelon— at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) convention & exhibition in October 2021, Honda Aircraft has made its next move in bringing the new model into its lineup. In June, the OEM revealed that development continues on the project, with its official “commercialization” or plan to pursue type certification on the clean-sheet light jet.

Intended to be a midsize jet in alight jet’s body, the HondaJet Echelon is aimed at a 2,625 nm range (four passengers and one pilot, NBA AIFR) and 450 ktas maximum cruise speed—but at 20 percent better fuel efficiency than other light jets and a 40 percent improvement over midsize models.

FAA type certification should come in 2028, with entry into service as a single-pilot-operated platform. Up to 11 people can be seated on board, with the option for nine or 10 passengers depending on crew requirements. Supply partners include Garmin for the G3000 flightdeck, Williams International and itsFJ44-4C engines, Spirit AeroSystems providing the fuselage, and Aernnova for aerostructures. Fabrication of the first airframe is underway as HondaAircraft completes initial engineering on the program.

Beechcraft Denali

Textron Aviation marked an important rite of passage in any airplane’s development program—its first appearance at EAA AirVenture in late July. The Wichita, Kansas-based OEM flew its third test article to the show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin—called “P2” in company parlance to designate the conforming airplane with a full interior for that phase of the flight test campaign.

There’s a lot you can understand much more immediately than you can with a mock-up. First, the air-plane feels like it stands roughly the same height as its Beechcraft brethren, the King Air 200 series. Once onboard, the ergonomics of the Garmin G3000 integrated flight deck harken to the Cessna CJ series but with the familiarity of the Brand G avionics. The powerplant installation includes FADEC and an auto-throttle—necessary for Garmin Autoland certification.

On the business end, the clean-sheet GE Catalyst engine is proving worthy of the investment in it, according to test pilots. As of May, the program included 26 engines built, with more than 5,400 hours of testing—figures that increase every day. The McCauley prop on the front is helping the combination to achieve even greater fuel efficiency than originally projected. The Denali will be certified with flight into known icing (FIKI) capability, completing what Textron Aviation calls “a jet-like experience.” Still, certification isn’t expected until 2025, recognizing the significant work remaining to bring anew turboprop engine to market.

Extra 330SX

The first production Extra 330SX may not be taking to the skies until next year, but the new single-canopy, aerobatic airplane is already spoken for. At a presentation at EAA AirVenture, company president Marcus Extra introduced Bob Freeman as the first customer.

The Extra 330SX improves upon the 330SC with better cooling up front on the 315 hp Lycoming and a Garmin G3X Touch flight display. The sporty airplane features high-performance ailerons, with 60 percent larger horns and modified wing tips, along with a reduced fuselage length. The combination leads to its stunning roll rate, which the company measures by mounting a Go-Pro in the airplane, taking it out for a series of rolls, then returning that video to the engineering team to calculate the rate.

Other improvements in the cockpit are proposed to deliver greater pilot comfort, including a taller stick with reduced side-to-side travel to better accommodate larger pilots—like Extra, who flew the airplane earlier this summer in a com-petition in Germany for the first time. The first deliveries will take place in2024, with the company ramping up its production space in DeLand, Florida, to meet the challenge.

Van’s RV-15

Van’s Aircraft debuted its first high-wing model at AirVenture 2022. Once more it flew the prototype to Oshkosh for the air show this summer with a few updates made to the still mostly mysterious kit in progress. Most take a bit of sleuthing to determine, but they include changes to the stabilator and anti-servo tab to improve stability and stick forces.

The ailerons have also been reshaped slightly, with hinge points moved, and changes made to the internal control system gearing influence stick throw. Van’s test pilots already report improved stick forces and control harmony.

The prototype stills runs from a fuel tank located in the cabin. Van’s plans to build new wings that will mount the fuel tanks, reported at 60 gallons total, internally, following legacy high-wing designs with this increase in pilot/passenger protection in the event of an accident.

With the wing moving back about 4 inches, Van’s will see benefits to load carrying and CG—and allow for the use of lighter powerplants than the current Lycoming IO-390, though it’s expected to be the core engine.

The airframe features unique, damped landing gear intended to smooth out vagaries in both pilot and runway surface. Van’s is sticking to its previously announced plan* to begin taking deposits 12 to 18 months after the airplane’s debut. It is likely to need at least six more months to get the design pinned down and prepare to build kits.

—With reporting by Marc Cook

*Since this article went to press, Van’s Aircraft has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and the timeline for the RV-15 is unknown.

Tecnam P-Mentor

Tecnam Aircraft debuted its P-Mentor at EAA AirVenture 2023, though the airplane is already approved under EASA CS 23, the equivalent to FAA Part 23 certification. The P-Mentor, featured and test flown in FLYING’s Issue 939, should see the agency’s nod in early2024, according to the company.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Tecnam P-Mentor

The P-Mentor is a two-seat aircraft designed to be a primary training platform, equipped with Garmin G3XTouch and GTN 650Xi avionics and boasting almost un-heard-of fuel economy at 3.7 gallons per hour.

This low consumption translates to low operating costs for owners and renters—and means lower carbon dioxide emissions. The P-Mentor’s fuel consumption results in up to nine operating hours between refuelings.

Powered by a FADEC-equipped Rotax 912iSC3 powerplant, the heavier-than-an-LSA P-Mentor shows graceful handling characteristics and docile slow flight and stall behavior. Takeoff ground roll at less than max gross was around 1,000 feet, with a landing roll less than that on a grass strip at the company’s headquarters in Capua, Italy. The comfortable cockpit can also accept a Garmin GFC 500 autopilot for serious cross-country and IFR operations. Several flight schools in the U.S. signed orders for the trainer at AirVenture.

—With reporting by Amy Wilder

Elixir Aircraft

Elixir Aircraft, based in La Rochelle, France, has also posted a sales streak for the training version of its aircraft, with a deal closed in June on more than 100 units—50 on option—with Sierra Charlie Aviation in Scottsdale, Arizona. The agreement caps a growing order book for the OEM as it brings three versions of its single-engine airplane to market.

Most of the models—intended for flight training—feature the 100 hp Rotax 912iS powerplant with a full glass cockpit. Sierra Charlie Aviation plans to integrate the airplanes into its Aviation Career Program, an ab initio course focused on identifying varying learning styles and steering those pilot applicants toward success. The composite airframe is built through the One-Shot manufacturing process to reduce parts count.

Elixir delivered five of its 912iS versions in 2022 for a total of more than 10 made so far by press time. The company was founded in 2015 by a trio of engineers who sought to reduce costs in flight training by lowering parts count and increasing efficiency in training aircraft. The first model achieved initial EASA CS 23 type certification in 2020, with FAA validation pending.

This article first appeared in the September 2023/Issue 941 of FLYING’s print edition.

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