Following the implosion of Jet It during the week of May 22, Honda Aircraft Company has stepped in to offer logistical and management support to those Jet It customers left in the lurch as the fractional operator ceased operations.

As reported exclusively by FLYING, the initial grounding of Jet It’s HondaJet fleet just started the snowball rolling. Soon after, Jet It grounded its entire fleet—including its Embraer Phenoms—and terminated its employees through a letter sent on May 26. The share owners of Jet It aircraft had also been told to find new homes for their assets.

While operators such as Volato and Jet Token have swooped in to court customers—and hopefully find positions for the type-rated pilots and other employees left hanging—the manufacturer of the HA-420 series is also standing ready to assist. 

Honda Aircraft has established a team that will help provide “seamless transitions to alternative aircraft management options for the HondaJet fractional owners who have been released from Jet It,” according to a statement from the company. This includes parking at HACI headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, for up to 90 days, including any pilot services needed to move those aircraft into position—free of charge to the customers.

This is no small thing, as several tails had been left in various states of “hangar limbo” following the Jet It shutdown—and some have been parked for nonpayment of maintenance and other outstanding bills.

“We understand the challenges faced by fractional owners who have been impacted by the suspension of their aircraft management after being released from contract by Jet It, and are now seeking alternative arrangements,” said Amod Kelkar, chief commercial officer and vice president of customer service for Honda Aircraft. “Consistent with our dedication to customer satisfaction, we have developed and established this assistance plan for those HondaJet owners in need of additional support during this transition period.”

Owners who think they might be eligible are encouraged to contact Honda Aircraft at hacifieldsupport@haci.honda.com.

The company is collaborating with the HondaJet Owners and Pilots Association and other groups on an upcoming safety standdown to address recent incidents involving runway overruns in the past 12 months. Runway excursions form a hot topic amongst business jet pilots and operators across the industry, as they make up the most common type of accident in business aviation, according to the National Business Aviation Association. Mitigating the risk will be the focus of the standdown.

“The HondaJet remains a reliable and safe aircraft to operate, and we reaffirm our confidence in the aircraft’s safety through our engineering and analysis,” said Kelkar, supporting the model. Honda Aircraft has delivered a total of 227 of the HA-420 series since 2015 through the first quarter of 2023, with approximately 212 of those on FAA registration. Jet It operated 21 tails through its program, encompassing roughly 10 percent of the total fleet.

The post Honda Aircraft Offers Free Logistics Help to Jet It Customers appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Over the past few days, we’ve received a number of inquiries from Jet It fractional owner groups about what they should do to navigate the Jet It shutdown. While I am also navigating the same issues—I was a fractional owner—we’ve made some progress toward the end game. 

Hopefully, by now all of the owners have had the chance to meet. We received a list of the individual owners from Jet It, along with contact information. If you’re an owner, you should organize a call with your specific owner group ASAP. You are all on the same team, now is the time to get a game plan together.

Appoint one to two people on the team to keep the process moving forward, regardless of direction. Ideally, someone with experience in aviation, as they will need to understand all of the moving parts.  

Even though Jet It CEO Glenn Gonzales suggested “patience” on owner calls last on May 24—but that isn’t great advice.

• READ MORE: Jet It Tells Owners To Find New Home for Aircraft

You own a very expensive asset that needs to be dealt with. Every day that you own it, the more expenses it will rack up. Hangar fees, maintenance, insurance, etc., all cost money. Nothing like having an expensive toy that you can’t use. 

You need to track down the aircraft. Every owner group I’ve spoken with has figured out where their aircraft is. 

Most importantly, find out what your owner group wants to do with the aircraft. You have a few options: you can sell the aircraft; you can put the aircraft up into a dry-lease with another operator; a single (or group of owners) can buy the airplane.

While Gonzales suggested that owners could contract directly with former Jet It pilots, this strikes me as challenging for larger owner groups that are geographically distributed, not to mention questions about legality of such a process. If you do decide to go this route, I would engage with an aviation attorney to make sure you are protected here.

The worst thing to do here is to let the aircraft sit long without a plan. We are all responsible for the bills on our aircraft from here on out (along with unpaid bills that Jet It racked up) and those bills aren’t going to cheap. 

If you decide to sell the aircraft, find a Honda broker or dealer that can help with this. Brokers will be glad to take you on as a client, but I would recommend doing diligence on the broker. Have they sold HondaJets in the past? Do they have experience with the aircraft? Can they help you navigate all of the maintenance issues you need to contend with?

Honda Aircraft Company has a list of dealers on its website, and you can find a dealer to assist here. I would recommend going with this group over a non-Honda dealer because of their familiarity with the jet and mutual interest in seeing a positive outcome for the Honda ecosystem. 

Keep in mind that the aircraft is not going to be flown much over the next few weeks, so find someone that has experience with the airplane and will agree to keep it in compliance with the maintenance up to date.

• READ MORE: Why Jet It Failed 

I live in Tennessee and our Honda Aircraft dealer is Banyan. They provided us with a turnkey proposal, including hangar access to help us manage the aircraft while we figured out what we wanted to do with it. 

Selling the aircraft is only one option. With nine owners, we felt that selling the aircraft was the best path for our ownership group. That way we could move forward making decisions as to our future missions individually. 

Another option is to put the aircraft into a short-term lease with another operator. 

Volato—Jet It’s biggest competitor among Honda Jet operators—has offered a 90-day lease for ownership groups. It is billed as a dry-lease arrangement, where all expenses are taken care of (except for maintenance labor). At $650 per hour, it’s an interesting proposal to get the airplane in the air and generate some revenue to offset most of the fixed expenses, including insurance, hangar fees, and operational fees. 

Matt Liotta, CEO of Volato told FLYING: 

“We feel for the customers who are facing this difficult situation. The entire team at Volato is here to help as much as we can, and we are prepared to take on any number of planes and customers. We do recommend that anyone consult with a lawyer before deciding on how to move forward.”

As noted earlier, getting a good aviation attorney is critical. This will be a long and drawn-out process, with lots of nuances. Getting someone with experience navigating all of the issues (aviation, corporate, and tax law) is critical.

There is some good news out of all of this. 

Unlike a jet card or membership program, Jet It’s fractional program offered direct ownership of an actual aircraft. This means that fractional owners will recoup a large percentage of their investment in the airplane after some initial headaches. 

If it were a membership program, where the asset is prepurchased time on an airplane from a charter operator, like in Wheels Up’s case (NYSE: UP), the only thing that program members would be guaranteed is a position of being a junior creditor in a bankruptcy. 

The post What’s Next for Jet It Fractional Owners appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Riding on the success of its recent deal with NetJets—in which it signed an agreement to reserve up to 250 Praetor 500 options, valued in excess of $5 billion—Embraer continues its upward trajectory in 2023.

Importantly, Embraer has set broad enterprise goals for sustainability and achieving net-zero emissions with its global enterprise. It seeks to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2040, net-zero emissions in its aviation operations by 2050, and use of 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2030. 

This week at the European Business Aviation Conference and Expo in Geneva, Embraer Executive Jets reported progress with the carbon offsetting program it launched at last year’s EBACE with 4AIR, a hub for industrywide sustainability efforts, among other key milestones.

• READ MORE: The ‘Last Mile’ for SAF Presents an Achievable Challenge

In a setting in which the company displayed three of its business jet offerings—including the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, and the Phenom 300E—the commitment hummed in the background. According to the company, “Once arriving in Geneva, the aircraft will be fueled with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for departure from the show. The company has continued to increase its use of SAF, including at its headquarters in Melbourne, Florida, while investing in the development of low-to-zero emission alternative propulsion technologies, such as electrification, hybrid electric, and hydrogen.”

4AIR Carbon Offsets

Embraer also announced it had enrolled customers in its Embraer Executive Care Program. Upon enrollment, participants receive 25 complimentary carbon-neutral flight hours via 4AIR to offset their operations during the first year. 

4AIR delivers the offsets through a series of projects it funds, including renewable energy programs, the enhancement of carbon-absorbing forests, and the support of local projects that reduce deforestation, generating social and economic benefits. As of this week, more than 30 certificates have been issued through the program, according to Embraer.

The post Embraer Executive Jets Follows Up on Sustainability Targets appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

At the European Business Aviation Conference and Expo, in Geneva, CAE announced it has expanded its business aviation training center network to Vienna. The addition places a Bombardier Global 7500 full flight simulator in central Europe—the first to be deployed on the continent.

“Vienna is the ideal location for CAE’s new business aviation training center in central Europe,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s group president, civil aviation. “This new center will be a game-changer for business aviation training in the region, offering programs on the region’s most sought-after aircraft platforms in an immersive learning environment. CAE Vienna is another example of the significant investments we are making to bring business aviation training closer to where our customers operate their aircraft.”

In addition to the Global 7500 and Global 6000 full flight simulators, four other FFSs will be installed, their types yet to be determined. The 8,000-square-foot center will have the ability to flex up to accommodate nine FFSs total in the space.

The center is planned to open in the second half of 2024.

Other expansion plans were completed in 2022, with CAE Singapore launched in November with a Gulfstream G650 FFS. And in April, CAE opened its first center on the West Coast of the U.S.  in Las Vegas. Others set to open in 2023 include Lake Nona, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia.

The training and simulation company joins others in the industry in sharing its plan to reach net-zero emissions and sustainable aviation goals. Read CAE’s FY22 Annual Activity and Corporate Social Responsibility Report here.

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With all of its paperwork on file, the latest member of Dassault Aviation’s Falcon family is ready for its official blessing.

Dassault CEO Éric Trappier announced on Monday at the European Business Aviation Conference and Expo that the Falcon 6X program is entering its final phase. “The Falcon 6X has successfully completed its flight test campaign,” said Trappier. “We have submitted all documentation to certification authorities and expect a type certificate to be granted by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) in the coming weeks, paving the way for entry into service.”

Along with the test program, the first 6X full flight simulator is ready to train its initial pilot type rating class, and Paris-headquartered Dassault’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network stands ready to support the model’s entry into service with parts and customer teams in place.

Falcon 10X Progress

Dassault’s largest model, the 10X, continues its development pace. “Testing of systems has begun, employing multiple test benches—in Istres, Merignac and Saint Cloud (in France),” said Trappier, inviting those attending EBACE to visit the full-scale, modular 10X mockup on display at the show.

• READ MORE: Dassault Aviation Rolls Out SAF Program At Little Rock Plant

The powerplant for the new large-cabin model—the Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X—also proceeds in development. “Test results from the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engine have also been extremely positive,” said Trappier. “We should have a powerplant installed on a flying test bench later this year. This engine is designed to be 100 percent SAF-capable.”

Trappier also mentioned updates available for the Falcon Xs already flying: “The latest generation of our EASy flight deck, EASy IV, is now available as an upgrade on the Falcon 7X and 8X fleet. And it comes standard with new 8X and 6X aircraft.”

Acknowledging Service Woes

Dassault’s move to upgrade its customer support network stumbled last year as it “struggled” to integrate new ESP software designed to improve spares management. “We committed to having this issue resolved by the first quarter of this year—and I am happy to report that this goal has been achieved,” said Trappier. 

But supply chain constraints have continued to hit this sector of its business as well. “Now, however, we find ourselves in the reverse situation: the software is working well, but spares are more difficult to obtain. Admittedly, the impact on our customers is the same, but I can assure you that we are working hard to find a solution for each case—doing whatever it takes.”

New service facilities will open soon in Dubai (this month), Malaysia (2024), and Melbourne, Florida (early 2025)—bringing coverage to 40 factory service centers and 21 authorized facilities.

SAF Update, FalconWays

The implementation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remains one of the best ways for the industry to combat the “business jet bashing” so prevalent in the general media. In the near term, Dassault is focused on this strategy. 

“Dassault now offers SAF at our flagship FBO at Le Bourget and at our completion and service center in Little Rock, Arkansas,” said Trappier. “All our flights are performed with a blend of 30 percent SAF, which exceeds by far the requirements of the European Union ReFuel initiative. Our customers are also using SAF, where it’s available.”

The company is also doubling down on its reputation for efficient platforms with a new digital flight management tool, named FalconWays.

“FalconWays uses a worldwide database of wind patterns to identify routes that optimize fuel consumption,” said Trappier. “The farther the mission, the more savings possible. In real-world testing, we have found we could reduce emissions by a significant percentage.” 

Trappier closed the press conference with his position on the best path for decarbonization of the industry, in the face of movement within the EU to define which industries are “green” and worthy of supporting.

“Currently, the taxonomy process being discussed by the European Commission is attempting to determine which industries are green and can be considered sustainable investments,” he said. “Additional taxonomy incentives could help serve as a basis for decarbonizing the whole aviation industry. Unfortunately, at this stage, business aviation has been excluded from the process. My personal opinion is that this is patently unfair, politicized, and simply unsupported by the facts. 

“Business aviation renders immense services to the global economy and is leading the way in adopting green strategies, like the use of SAF. Excluding business aviation sends the wrong message and may exclude it from decarbonization in Europe, with significant impacts on operators, MROs, and airports alike. 

“I can’t overstress the seriousness of the environmental issue and encourage everyone in our industry to show solidarity and work towards making every initiative available part of the overall solution.”

The post Dassault’s Falcon 6X Completes Flight Test appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

With competing stories coming out of fractional charter operator Jet It, stakeholders are seeking clarity—and the news doesn’t look good.

According to several sources that reached out to FLYING, Jet It has begun a significant round of furloughs, capping a rough weekend for the company in which it has also voluntarily grounded its fleet and paused operations.

In its recent series of decisions made following a runway overrun accident of a HondaJet last week in South Carolina, Jet It moved first to a “safety stand down,” according to an email sent by CEO Glenn Gonzales to company stakeholders on Monday.

• READ MORE:  Jet It Grounds Fleet of Honda Aircraft

“After careful consideration of this and other recent similar events, we have made the difficult decision to implement a safety stand down as of May 18, and ground this aircraft type in our fleet effective immediately,” said Gonzales. “Jet It has taken this precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of our passengers, pilots, and the integrity of our operations. The stand down will be focused on reviewing policies and procedures for the safe operation of the HondaJet aircraft and gathering more information.”

HondaJet Owners and Pilots Association Responds

In its separate response to a series of 8 accidents that have taken place involving HondaJets over the past year, the HondaJet Owners and Pilots Association had already called for its own safety analysis, and subsequent informational sessions and training for operators to address those concerns at a future date—with no current pause in operations. In a video to its members, HJOPA executive director Julie Hughes framed the association’s position.

“All of you are experienced pilots, and while you have your own ideas involving each of these events, it’s critical that we do not jump to conclusions  or make unfounded assumptions,” said Hughes. “Instead, we are allowing the data to inform us about this concerning trend within our platform. This data-driven approach will guide us in taking appropriate actions to enhance the safety of each of our operations.” HJOPA is working in concert with Honda Aircraft Co., FlightSafety International, and its board and membership.

The “organized break in aviation activities” planned by HJOPA stands in contrast to the emergency-style “stand down” in progress at Jet It.

The Jet It Model

Jet It has positioned itself uniquely in the market, offering share owners use of the fractional fleet at a relatively low rate of $1,600 per hour. When the company is able to serve its customers utilizing its fleet, it typically makes a modest amount per hour on the transaction. But if the fractional has to fulfill a customer request for service with an aircraft outside of its fleet, that margin erodes sharply. 

In the midst of a dispute regarding service from Honda Aircraft Co., Jet It announced it would pivot its fleet away from the HA-420 and to Embraer’s Phenom 300. Part of the reason Gonzales gave for the change was in the “more than $20 million” in off-fleet expenses since 2020 that Jet It had to absorb—which it blamed on the poor service record for the HondaJet.

Honda Aircraft Co. (HACI) responded with a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed against Jet It, saying it had violated certain agreement terms and defamed the OEM with its disparaging statements. HACI dropped the lawsuit in a confidential settlement in April, and it confirmed that it considered Jet It a customer it would continue to provide service for as agreed upon.

However, Jet It’s own customers have reported significant fall off in service levels since the beginning of 2023, to the point of unreliability. Combined with the word from two former executive-level employees (speaking on condition of anonymity) that Jet It has begun furloughing personnel at all levels of the enterprise supports speculation that the business is in serious condition.

FLYING will be updating this story as more information becomes available.

The post Jet It Moves into Furloughs as Pause in Operations Continues appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Gulfstream’s new contenders on the ultralong-range stage—the G700 and G800—have reached significant milestones along the path to certification for the sister models. The two jets will be on display at the European Business Aviation Conference and Expo (EBACE) at Palexpo/Geneva International Airport (LSGG) in Switzerland this week.

G700 Flight Test, Speed Record

The G700—set to enter service this year—has finished several more key steps in its flight testing program, including performance trials at Cecil Airport (KVQQ) in Jacksonville, Florida, and water ingestion testing at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility (KWAL) in Wallops Island, Virginia. Those tests include touchdown and taxi maneuvering at speeds between 60 to 120 knots. Flyover noise testing has also proven the airplane registers less than the maximum permitted by FAA regulations.

• READ MORE: Textron Aviation Unveils Citation Ascend at EBACE

“The G700 continues to exceed our expectations throughout all facets of the flight test program,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream, in a news release. “At the same time, even more customers around the globe are seeing the real-world performance features and benefits the aircraft provides in terms of efficiency, speed, and safety, while experiencing the immense comfort of the cabin firsthand.” 

On its way to the static display at EBACE, a test article G700 set a city-pair record from Mumbai, India, to Geneva with an elapsed time en route of 8 hours and 34 minutes, averaging Mach 0.90. This brings the total number of speed records set by the G700—and recognized by the National Aeronautic Association—to more than 40.

The G700 is also performing some of its flight test operations on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), using a variety of blends. One notable record recently set came on a flight from the company’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, to Tokyo, clocking in at 13 hours and Mach 0.89. Gulfstream has committed to use of SAF as well as other initiatives to bring it toward net-zero targets in 2030 and beyond, being the first business aircraft manufacturer to sign the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow Ambition Statement—signaling its intent to “accelerate the supply and use of SAF technologies to reach 10 percent of the global jet aviation fuel supply by 2030,” according to the company.

• READ MORE: A Look Ahead at EBACE 2023

The G800 Arrives on the Continent

While the G800 has crossed the pond before, EBACE 2023 marks the first time that the model has gone on display in continental Europe. With a SAF blend on board—like all of the G800 test flights originating from Savannah—the G800 flew from KSAV to LSGG.

With four living areas and seating for up to 19 passengers, the G800 is scheduled to enter service later this year. According to Gulfstream, the G800 can range out to 8,000 nm at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nm at Mach 0.90. 

The post Gulfstream’s G700, G800 Reach Milestones appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Fractional business jet operator Jet It has voluntarily grounded its HondaJet fleet, according to a report, and now upon confirmation from the company to its stakeholders.

The company, one of the largest HondaJet fleet operators, reportedly notified employees internally of the aircraft “stand-down” following an accident involving another operator’s HA-420 model in Summerville, South Carolina, on Thursday, according to Private Jet Card Comparisons.

• READ MORE: Jet It Moves into Furloughs as Pause in Operations Continues

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the Thursday accident that involved a HondaJet, listed as owned by Upfrunt Services LLC of Dover, Delaware. The aircraft hydroplaned at the end of Summerville Airport’s (KDYB) Runway 24, struck a berm, and caught fire, according to Aviation Safety Net. None of the five people onboard the aircraft were injured in the event. 

“We are instituting a safety stand-down while we request further information from Honda. This means we will not be operating the Honda Aircraft until further notice,” Jet It said in an internal message, according to Private Jet Card Comparisons. “During this stand-down, we will be reviewing all information, procedures, and specific data as it becomes available. We will update you with more information as it becomes available.”

• READ MORE: Jet It Pivots Away From HondaJet to Phenom 300

The stand-down was to occur over the weekend, and no date for the resumption of operations had been determined, according to the report.

In the days following the pause in operations, Jet It notified its stakeholders.

“After careful consideration of this and other recent similar events, we have made the difficult decision to implement a safety stand down as of May 18, and ground this aircraft type in our fleet effective immediately,” Jet It CEO Glenn Gonzales told company stakeholders in an email Monday. “Jet It has taken this precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of our passengers, pilots, and the integrity of our operations. The stand down will be focused on reviewing policies and procedures for the safe operation of the HondaJet aircraft and gathering more information.”

Jet It’s action was voluntary and not made at the recommendation of an aviation authority, according to Honda Aircraft Company.

“Jet It’s decision to ground their HondaJet fleet was made independently by Jet It. Importantly, neither Honda Aircraft Company nor any aviation authority has recommended this grounding. Therefore, we have no comment about the decision by Jet It to ground its fleet,” the company told FLYING in a statement Monday. 

READ MORE: Honda Aircraft Says It Settled Its Lawsuit Against Jet It

“In all closed investigations of previous runway events, investigators found no causal factors from the aircraft’s design or any system malfunction. Our engineering and analysis supports our product as a safe aircraft to operate,” it said, adding that the rest of its feel will continue with normal operations.

“Honda Aircraft holds the safety and reliability of our aircraft as our top priorities and our dedicated team is working closely with the NTSB and FAA to determine the cause of the recent occurrence and to implement any necessary measures.”

The report of Jet It’s pause in HondaJet operations comes just weeks after Honda Aircraft Co. reached a confidential settlement with Jet It that ended its breach-of-contract lawsuit against the North Carolina-based operator. In the lawsuit, Honda alleged Jet It had violated agreements and made “disparaging comments” about the aircraft manufacturer. 

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Could this be a mini Citation Latitude? That was my first impression when I saw the Cessna Citation Ascend mock-up at the European Business Aviation Convention and Expo in Geneva. Textron Aviation (NYSE:TXT) pulled back the curtain on the new model Monday morning at EBACE 2023.

The $16.725-million Ascend will be the fifth-generation Citation 560XL when it arrives in 2025, and its refreshed appearance heralds dozens of improvements aimed at sustaining demand for the best-selling business jet in the last quarter century. Almost 1,100 Excel, XLS, XLS+ and XLS Gen 2 Citations have been delivered since 1998. The Ascend has plenty of qualities aimed at extending this sales performance.

“The Cessna Citation Ascend builds upon more than 20 years of the 560XL series success in the market,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, global sales and flight operations for Textron Aviation. “It’s designed to outperform and take our customers further in style.” 

Under New Power

​Most noticeably on the outside, it has a new and larger flight deck and cabin windows, giving it a sleeker, more contemporary appearance. Under the cowls, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s 4,213 lb thrust PW545D engines offer a modest 1 percent thrust increase, but they’ve been upgraded with more efficient high-pressure cores that boost flow rate and improve durability, compared to the PW545C powerplants that propel the Ascend’s predecessor, the Citation XLS Gen2.

The PW545Ds also have enhanced deep-fluted mixer nozzles to mix hot core gas and cold bypass air flows in the exhaust section with less turbulence, resulting in better fuel efficiency and reduced noise. Mid-life inspection and overhaul intervals have been extended to 3,000 hours and 6,000 hours respectively for operators enrolled either Textron Aviation’s pay-per-hour PowerAdvantage or PowerAdvantage+ program, or PWC’s private-label Eagle Service Plans tailored for Textron Aviation’s requirements.

The turbofans’ full authority digital engine controls (FADECs) are specifically designed to link up with PWC’s Flight, Acquisition, Storage, and Transmission (FAST) system that allows all engine perimeters to be monitored and analyzed by the engine manufacturer to spot trends and to identify maintenance actions before they become serious problems.

Into the Interior

Inside the Ascend, there’s a new flat floor made possible by filling in the 8-inch dropped center aisle. The new model has upgraded passenger chairs and beefier acoustical insulation to sop up more sound. Interior sound levels now approach those of Textron Aviation’s super-midsize jets.

The inflight entertainment package features a Bongiovi Acoustics speakerless, surround-sound system and upgraded WiFi connectivity package, including standard Iridium SATCOM and GoGo L3 air-to-ground communications.

READ MORE: Textron’s Citation XLS Gen2 Achieves FAA Certification

The Ascend has dozens of other improvements likely to be appreciated by passengers, including electrically actuated dual-mode translucent / opaque window shades, 19 USB-C charging ports—including at least one for each seat—and 6 wireless PDA charging stations, along with electric push-button release of seat movement mechanisms that make for easier adjustment and a cell phone or PDA app to control the Clairity cabin management system.

Options include a higher speed GoGo L5 internet transceiver, “luxury vinyl” or stone flooring for the galley and lavatory, adjustable lumbar supports for seat backs, and choice of soft, medium or firm bottom seat cushions. Available illuminated cabin window frames create soft halos around the transparencies that make them appear even larger than they are. For customers needing 8 inches more headroom in the main cabin, the previous dropped center aisle configuration is available in place of the flat floor.

On the Flight Deck

The ​Ascend promises to reduce pilot workload in many ways. The APU now is approved for unattended operation, so one pilot can look after passengers while the other focuses on preflight preparations. There’s a new light on the bottom of the left engine pylon to illuminate the aft baggage compartment loading zone at night. Up front, the flight deck has the latest version of the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck, including autothrottles (all-engine only), four touchscreen control units, and high-resolution synthetic vision.

The Ascend’s G5000 avionics package will be the first to offer Garmin’s 3D exocentric view airport diagrams on PFDs, including runway and taxiway signs, obstacle symbols, and building images. A few years ago, this feature only was available on $50-million-plus jets equipped with Honeywell Primus Epic avionics. Garmin’s plans call for upgrading the 3D airport diagram system to display ADS-B In imagery of proximate aircraft, fuel trucks, and service vehicles. No longer will taxiing safely between the ramp and runway in low visibility conditions be more challenging than flying from takeoff to touchdown in solid IFR.

Textron Aviation confirmed the Citation Ascend will achieve a range of 1,900 nm at high-speed cruise, and 2,100 nm at long-range cruise—the same performance as the last-generation XLS. It will also retain the ability to link city pairs such as London City, England, to Athens, Greece; Helsinki, Finland, to Porto, Portugal; or La Mole, France, to Prague, Czech Republic, with four passengers at high-speed cruise.

EBACE attendees can see the Citation Ascend interior mock-up for themselves at Textron Aviation booth T-26 during the show.

The post Textron Aviation Unveils Cessna Citation Ascend in Geneva appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Embraer showed off the short-field performance of its E190-E2 regional jet during a demonstration flight in South Korea Tuesday. Given the results, it might be easier now for some private pilots to imagine airline service coming to their small home airports.

• READ MORE: Embraer E195-E2 and E190-E2 Receive Type Certification in Canada

The Embraer jet took off from Gimpo International Airport (RKSS) in Seoul and flew to Pohang (RKTH), passing over Ulleungdo Island and returning. The crew performed a simulated short-field landing at Pohang, using 1,066 meters, or just less than 3,497 feet of runway. 

The aircraft was not kept light for the trip. It carried 80 passengers—out of a maximum of 114 in single-class service—who were guests of the company, plus enough fuel for the return flight to Seoul. The company said the E190-E2’s performance makes it the only current narrowbody model that can use runways of 1,200 meters, or 3,937 feet, like the strip at the Ulleungdo Island Airport, which is scheduled to open in 2025.

• READ MORE: Embraer’s E190-E2 Profit Hunter Shark Tours Africa

Embraer also signed a memorandum of understanding with the governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do to collaborate on certain matters related to aviation in the country’s largest province. The government’s transportation goals include strengthening the travel network among its provinces with aircraft that have enough range for routes up to seven hours and the capability to operate from short runways, Embraer said.

The post Embraer E190-E2 Jet Shows Short-Field Prowess appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

NetJets announced a deal with Embraer to acquire options for up to 250 Praetor 500 midsize jets—super midsize if you look at the cabin cross-section—including an agreement for services and support. The companies valued the transaction at more than $5 billion and expect to begin deliveries in 2025.

NetJets said the agreement will help it provide “an enhanced customer experience” as it conducts an average of 1,200 flights per day worldwide.

• READ MORE: NetJets Orders 100 More Phenom 300s from Embraer

The companies’ relationship dates back to at least 2010, when NetJets entered its first purchase agreement with Embraer for 50 Phenom 300 jets with options for up to 75 additional aircraft. NetJets said the Phenom has since become one of its most requested aircraft. 

In 2021, following the delivery of more than 100 aircraft to NetJets, the companies entered a continuing agreement for as many as 100 additional Phenom 300E aircraft. The deal was valued at more than $1.2 billion.

“We are eager to add the Embraer Praetor 500, one of today’s most state-of-the-art business jets, to our midsize fleet,” said Doug Henneberry, executive vice president of NetJets’ aircraft asset management. “This historic fleet agreement is another way that we are growing our fleet for the benefit of our loyal customers. By adding up to 250 aircraft to our fleet, we will continue providing NetJets owners with exceptional service and seamless access to all corners of the globe.”

Said Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, “Since 2010, Embraer has enjoyed NetJets’ ongoing commitment to our industry-leading aircraft, which is a true testament to the value of our brand and our ability to deliver the ultimate experience in business aviation. After building this successful foundation with the Phenom 300 series, it’s our pleasure to have now signed this monumental deal for the Praetor 500 midsize jet, and we look forward to an even more exciting future ahead.”

Embraer said the Praetor 500’s speed, runway performance and range, making it capable of coast-to-coast U.S. flights, help set it apart from other jets in the midsize category. In addition to fly-by-wire controls, the Praetor 500 offers the lowest cabin altitude and the tallest, widest cabin cross-section in its class.

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Volato, a private aviation company based in Atlanta, said it has completed a transaction to acquire 25 HondaJets from the Honda Aircraft Company slated for delivery by the end of 2025. Late last year Volato announced it had ordered the aircraft. 

Volato said it has developed a strong relationship with Honda since acquiring its first HondaJet in 2021. The company currently has 17 of the Honda aircraft in its fleet and said it has worked with Honda to improve customer satisfaction with upgrades to the aircrafts’ galley and improvements to its maintenance programs.

“We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Honda Aircraft Company, and we thank them for their continued support of Volato,” said Volato CEO Matt Liotta. “This new order will allow us to meet the growing demand for private air travel customers who are looking for the most efficient and most luxurious cabin in the very light jet class.”

• READ MORE: Volato Bumps First-Year Captains’ Pay to $150,000

Volato, which touts itself as the world’s largest operator of HondaJets, also said it is experiencing strong demand for its fractional program, the Stretch Jet Card, Insider Deposit Program, and its charter services.

Volato said it also plans to add four Gulfstream G280s to its fleet next year to give its members a greater range of flight options.

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Marcel Dassault may have said it first—but he echoed the minds of many pioneering aircraft designers before him when he quipped, “For an aircraft to fly well, it must be beautiful.” That can certainly be said of the very first of the Falcon jets for which his company, Dassault Aviation, would become famous.

The Dassault Mystère 20 launched the era of the purpose-built business jet 60 years ago, on May 4, 1963, in Mérignac, France, beginning the Falcon jet line that would take the U.S. market by storm. 

“The formula has not changed,” said Dassault Aviation’s chairman and CEO Éric Trappier. “Every Dassault aircraft must have superb handling, beautiful lines, and rugged construction. And, of course, it has to provide state-of-the-art comfort.”

Lindbergh’s Endorsement

Dassault celebrates 60 years since the Mystère 20’s first flight throughout 2023—and looks back to the events that surrounded that iconic airplane’s development and success with customers. It was a drop-in visit from Charles Lindbergh that may have sealed the Mystère’s fate. Lindbergh met with Dassault in Bordeaux on behalf of Pan Am, which was looking at the new jet as a cornerstone for its blooming business aviation division.

As history has recorded it, Lindbergh wired Juan Trippe, then CEO of Pan Am, and gave his nod to the Mystère 20: “I’ve found our bird.” Though his visit pushed the first flight from the morning hours to late in the day—at 5 p.m. local time—fortune smiled upon that inaugural mission, flown by test pilots René Bigand and Jean Dillaire. 

Based on the Mirage

The Mystère 20 set the stage for Falcon jets to come with its foundation in Dassault’s strong heritage as a developer of fighters. The company had already gained a serious reputation for its Mirage line, first developed following World War II with the advent of viable turbine engines. 

Dassault had responded to a request from the French government for a light-weight interceptor aircraft, and designed the MD.550 Delta, which first flew on June 25, 1952. The fighter—renamed the Mirage I—achieved Mach 1.3 in level flight a couple of years later, without rocket assistance. In early test flights, beginning in 1951, its predecessor, the MD.452 Mystére I, proved out the 30-degree swept wing and modified empennage, and the Mystère IIA was the first French aircraft to break Mach 1 in a dive in controlled flight on October 28, 1951.

While not quite as fast, the Mystère 20 would seek out speed just like its older sibling. The prototype, powered by General Electric CF700 turbofans, was flown by French pilot Jacqueline Auriol to set the women’s world speed record at the time, on June 10, 1965, beating her previous record in the Mystère IIIC of 2,038 km/h (1,100 knots) or Mach 1.65.

Onto the Falcon

Pan Am ordered 40 of the new business jet, and those aircraft delivered to the U.S. were marketed under the name “Fan Jet Falcon.” The model soon took on the name it would carry forward, the Falcon 20. By 1968, Pan Am had 160 units ordered, becoming the biggest operator. However, it was soon followed by the growing Federal Express, which took on a total of 33 Falcon 20s as it launched its overnight delivery service fleet—before the Boeing 727 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10.

The Falcon 20 deliveries totaled 515 before it was retired in 1993—a 30-year production that formed the basis for several more models in the Falcon family. Next was the smaller Falcon 10 (first produced in 1971, with 226 units delivered) and the larger tri-jet Falcon 50 (launched in 1976, with 352 units delivered).

The Falcons series took a turn into twin jets with the Falcon 900 models first produced in 1984—more than 553 900s have been delivered—and the Falcon 2000 models launched in 1993, with 677 aircraft so far. Dassault returned to the tri-jet configuration for its long-range 7X (first flown in 2005 by Philippe Deleume, with 298 units so far) and the 8X in 2015 (92 units delivered to date). These four lines remain in production, now joined by the twin-jet 6X and 10X.

From the 2,700 Falcons built, more than 2,100 Falcons fly around the world today. 

“Through these different models, we have built up a strong legacy and a solid base of technological know-how that makes us confident in our ability to continue developing new products that fully meet customer expectations,” said Trappier on the occasion. “Sixty years on, Falcons are still completely distinctive in the business jet world: beautiful, delightful to fly, and always on the leading edge of technology, bringing safety, comfort and productivity benefits to operators around the globe.”

The post The First Falcon’s First Flight appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The light freckled on the white beadboard ceiling where it bounced into the dining room of Le Talisman—a Seine river barge kept at Dassault Aviation’s headquarters in Saint-Cloud, Paris, France—last Thursday, April 27. How could I see that light for myself—and sit around the table with new friends from the storied business jet and defense manufacturer—except for the transatlantic connection provided by aviation?

Yes, in theory, you could untie the very boat we were in and float out to the mouth of the Seine at Le Havre, and you could make your way across an oft-feisty ocean at sea level—but why on Earth would you do that when you could slide onto the flight deck of Dassault’s new Falcon 6X and make the jaunt in comfort and class at Flight Level 430 in less than 7 hours?

While the court of public opinion at times gives the microphone to voices calling for the end of flying, we know within our ranks that we hold the solution to sustainable flying—and the way to get there is to fly forward, not slam us to a collective stop with full reversers.

There are problems to solve with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), for one, but Dassault is already using a 40-percent blend in its operations at Paris Le Bourget (LFPB) and Bordeaux-Merignac (LFBD). The wide-body 6X and even grander 10X sit poised to debut with SAF fully tested—perhaps up to a 100 percent level by the time the 10X gains certification as projected in 2025. And it’s just one OEM out of a chorus of them moving along the same lines.

Éric Trappier, president and CEO of Dassault Aviation, dropped by our lunch that day to talk about the indications ahead in finance and supply chain following the release of Boeing’s Q1 results, along with his own assessments. A softening of the market seems at hand—but after the heady surge of 2022, a “normalization” seems prudent.

While protests in Paris, London, and Amsterdam have captured recent headlines stateside, we witnessed none of the furor firsthand on this trip. Instead I felt an uneasy calm as we work to figure out how to tell our story in a way that resonates with those who need to hear the reassurance that we can keep flying, keep innovating, keep aspiring.

• READ MORE: Boeing Reports First Quarter Net Loss on Higher Revenue

Across the river from Dassault lies the Bois de Boulogne—Paris’ great green space—and the Parc de Bagatelle, a garden that covers the spot where Santos-Dumont first flew his No. 14-bis in September 1906. Just a block away, Louis Bléirot’s factory once stood, and the vintage sign from that roof announces to passersby the history entrenched in the scene. 

Great aeronautical design still sparks to life here, with the site of the current Dassault Group buildings over a former engine factory. The lightweight-for-the-class Falcon series preserves performance while making tracks across the sky in a more efficient way than its competitors—and utilizes shorter runways closer to the passengers’ intended destination, saving fuel and time.

And isn’t time our most precious commodity?

The lightness of being is the Dassault raison d’être, in their tack towards not only efficiency but runway performance. Combined with higher wing loading than others in the class, they promise a better ride through the bumps—and a nimbleness derived from the Rafale fighter’s heritage.

You can read Fred George’s We Fly report on the Falcon 6X in the May 2023/Issue 937 print edition of FLYING that’s about to land in your mailbox if you subscribe. George took an exclusive first flight in the graceful, master stroke of the class—and he shares his expertise in the business aviation arena with FLYING’s readers for the first time after returning to us as a contributor.

Because there’s nothing like being there—and stepping into the left seat to do it.

The post Nothing Like Being There appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Textron Aviation marked another milestone for its long-running line of Citation jets with the delivery of its 400th Citation CJ4 Gen2 to Koch Holdings, an auto dealership company based in Easton, Pennsylvania. 

The company said the delivery “reinforces the Citation family as the world’s most popular line of business jets and demonstrates the company’s commitment to continued innovation for customers as exemplified in the latest Citation CJ4 Gen2 aircraft.”

• We Fly: Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen 2

The Citation CJ4 series of business jets entered service in 2010, and the Gen2 rolled out in 2021 with a number of improvements to the aircraft’s cabin, airstair, and connectivity electronics. The Gen2 model is the largest Citation in the light jet market segment, and its evolutionary upgrades reflect Cessna’s long-range strategy for the Citation series, which began in 1972 and has been popular ever since. Last year the company delivered its 8,000th Citation series aircraft.

Cessna said the CJ4 Gen2, which is certified for single-pilot operation, “combines superior speed, range, and operating economics compared to larger aircraft, making it the ideal platform for owner-operators or corporate missions.” The aircraft seats as many as 10 passengers and has a 1,400-pound baggage capacity, Cessna said.

In addition to corporate transport and personal use, the CJ4 Gen2 is used for missions ranging from air ambulance and search and rescue to maritime patrol and aerial survey work.

The post Textron Aviation Marks Delivery of 400th Citation CJ4 Gen2 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] reported a first-quarter loss, which it attributed in part to unusual expenses in its commercial aircraft operations, and the general effects of supply-chain difficulties. However, the company said its businesses are performing well, with increased revenue and plans to boost production of certain aircraft models.

The net loss totaled $425 million, or 69 cents per share, compared with a loss of $1.16 billion, or $2.06 per share, a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter rose 28 percent to $17.92 billion from $13.99 billion a year earlier.

• READ MORE: Airline Rapid Growth Plans Hinge on Boeing 737 Max

“We delivered a solid first quarter and are focused on driving stability for our customers,” said Dave Calhoun, president and CEO of Boeing. “We are progressing through recent supply chain disruptions but remain confident in the goals we set for this year, as well as for the longer term.”

Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes operations reported a 60 percent revenue increase to $6.7 billion from $4.2 billion, benefiting from higher deliveries of 737 and 787 deliveries, partially offset by 787 customer considerations. The operating margin (of 9.2 percent) also reflects abnormal costs and period expenses, including research and development.

• READ MORE: Boeing Slows 737 Max Deliveries Because of Parts ‘Quality Issue’

Boeing noted that the fuselage supplier for its 737 program recently told the company that methods affected certain fuselage fittings. While the resulting problems do not immediately threaten safety, the company said, correcting them will slow near-term production and deliveries. The company said it still expects to deliver 400 to 450 aircraft this year. Its plans  include increasing production to 38 aircraft this year and to 50 per month during the 2025 to 2026 timeframe.

For the 787 program, Boeing said it is building three airplanes per month and plans to increase production to five per month in late 2023 and 10 per month during the 2025 and 2026 timeframe.

Commercial airplane orders totaled 107 during the quarter, and the company received commitments from Air India for 190 737 MAX, 20 787, and 10 777X aircraft, and from Riyadh Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines for up to 121 787 airplanes.

Boeing said it delivered 130 airplanes during the quarter and its backlog reached 4,500 airplanes with a value of $334 billion.

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Business jet flights have declined across the globe this month compared with the same period last year, according to a report from industry-tracking company WingX.

In North America, flight activity during the 15th week of the year totaled 56,798 sectors flown by business jets, which is down 5 percent compared with the same period in 2022. During the last four weeks, activity has been 11 percent below last year’s level. Also during week 15, operations under Parts 135 and 91K declined 9 percent from a year earlier, the WingX report said.

According to WingX, 91 percent of business jet departures in North America take place in the United States, where sectors are down 11 percent since last year. Departures in Mexico were down 1 percent and Canada saw a decline of 23 percent.

The downward trend is similar across the most popular business aviation airports, with Teterboro, New Jersey (KTEB), the busiest in the region for business jets, saw an 11 percent decline compared with last year. Activity at Palm Beach (KPBR) fell 6 percent, Dallas Love Field (KDAL) is down 8 percent and Miami-Opa Locka Executive (KOPF) is down 12 percent, WingX said.

Among aircraft types, the Bombardier Challenger 300 and 350 so far have completed the most flights this month, but its total departures have declined by 7 percent compared with the same period last year, WingX said. The Embraer Phenom 300 is the only aircraft in the top three that flew more sectors this year than last, according to the report.

Worldwide, business jets flew 70,657 sectors during week 15, which is a decrease of 4 percent from the same week a year earlier. In the last four weeks the global trend for business jet activity fell 9 percent compared with the same period in 2022, WingX said.

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With 230 total aircraft delivered, the Honda Aircraft Company continues development on its singular model series, the HA-420 type HondaJet. Now in its Elite II version announced at the National Business Aviation Association conference in October 2022, the light twin-engine jet powered by GE Honda Aero HF120 turbines is completing the final stages of its validation under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which company representatives expect to occur by the end of the summer. 

Autothrottle Progress

At a press briefing at AERO 2023 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, on April 19, Peter Kriegler, vice president of sales at Honda Aircraft, gave an update on the Elite II’s next upgrades—specifically its autothrottle. The AT is a key component that must be in place in order to complete the Garmin Autoland suite on the HondaJet—which will make it the first twin-engine jet approved with this functionality. The Elite II gained FAA certification without the AT; this update has been projected for completion in the summer 2023, and Kriegler confirmed that progress is on track.

“It’s really about operational improvements to the aircraft, from a capability standpoint, from a safety standpoint, with the Garmin systems that we’re introducing in the cockpit,” said Kriegler, “as well as just a collection of refinements that we’ve learned from over the years.”

Increased Performance

On the display floor for the first time at AERO, the HondaJet shown is not yet the Elite II version—but once it finishes EASA validation, the new model will post improved performance, as a result of a 200-pound maximum gross weight increase that has enabled increases in all weight limits, including the fuel load, which went up by 217 pounds. That will boost the jet’s range to 1,547 nm, up from the original HondaJet’s 1,241 nm and the Elite’s 1,457 nm. The New York to South Florida route in the U.S. is made easily achievable.

• READ MORE: We Fly: HondaJet Elite

The Elite II also features a new matte black exterior paint finish that has proven popular and striking on the ramp, with two of the new schemes delivered thus far, according to Kriegler. 

When the company paused production of the HA-420 model to accommodate the certification of the Elite II, it impacted deliveries, bringing the 2022 total for the company down to 18 units. However, it’s making up for lost time in 2023, and Kriegler anticipates that the first EASA-validated Elite II will be ready right after that process is complete.

Efficiency Story

With sustainable aviation top of mind at AERO, it follows that Honda Aircraft would also want to highlight its own chops in this area, which are significant. While the base model has always posted up to a 15 percent lower fuel burn than comparative models in the category, according to the company, it is also making forays into the future with its own testing on sustainable aviation fuel.

“In an effort to be environmentally responsible, we really put a huge emphasis on fuel efficiency,” said Kriegler. “As we look to the future where we’re using SAF, our partner in our engine program, GE Honda Aero Engines, has begun testing on 100 percent SAF, so we look to the future where we can fly in emission-free flight.”

The post HondaJet Close to EASA Certification on the Elite II appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Falling off from a 2022 high, experts are predicting tighter conditions for aircraft sales in 2023, as the preowned business jet market is “rebalancing.”

In its first quarter report, the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA)—a trade association that promotes the growth and public understanding of the aircraft resale industry— noted that its members are optimistic about the next six months of the business aircraft market compared with the fourth quarter of 2022. 

IADA’s dealers consist of the top 12 percent of the world’s experts who handle 46 percent of used business aircraft sales.

Results from IADA’s first quarter report show IADA accredited dealers closed 239 transactions, compared with 288 in the same period of 2022, and 213 in the first quarter of 2021.

Additionally, IADA dealers ended quarter one with 197 aircraft under contract, compared to 259 a year ago, and 248 in the first quarter of 2021. According to IADA, results from its first quarter survey suggest that the market is rebalancing with a return to more rational pricing and valuations with continuing customer interest.

• READ MORE: IADA, 4AIR Partnership Focuses on Aircraft Environmental Impact

“Even though macroeconomic forces, geopolitical tensions, and the latest banking crises flood the headlines, customers appear to be little swayed from their interest in buying, selling and flying business aircraft. While 2023 activity levels—aircraft sales, flight activity, MRO shop demand—have generally slipped back from record highs in 2022, the market for business aviation products and services remains vibrant,” IADA noted in a press release.

Chad Anderson, CEO of IADA-accredited dealer Jetcraft, said he was surprised by the number of acquisitions confirmed in 2023. He predicted that the early part of 2023 would be a bit slower, but the latter part of 2023 is looking even more active.

• READ MORE: Business Jet Sales Up in 2022, IADA Reports

Byron Mobley, president of Wetzel Aviation, Inc., noted the “feeding frenzy is over. The market has slowed to a balanced pace, yet with lots of inquiries and activity. Inventory is limited, but not like last year.”

“Our organization foresees a continuation of relatively tight market conditions through 2023, driven by customers who cannot or will not wait two or more years to receive their next aircraft,” said IADA executive director Wayne Starling.

The post Preowned Business Jet Market ‘Rebalancing,’ Trade Group Says appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Honda Aircraft Co. has ended its lawsuit against the fractional company Jet-It. The company said in a statement that it has “reached a confidential settlement agreement” with Jet-It that resulted in dismissal of the lawsuit.

Honda Aircraft, also known as HACI, said Jet It “continues to remain an important customer to   HACI, and HACI will continue to provide service and support.”

Late last year Honda Aircraft filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Jet-It, one of its largest customers, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. In the suit, Honda alleged that Jet-It had violated terms of certain agreements and made “disparaging comments” about the aircraft maker. Both companies are based in Greensboro, North Carolina.

• READ MORE: Jet-It Pivots Away From HondaJet to Phenom 300

Prior to the lawsuit, Glenn Gonzales, the founder and CEO of Jet-It, had claimed that his company suffered significant losses attributable to poor reliability of the Honda aircraft in the company’s fleet and inadequate customer service.

Gonzales had also told customers that the company was adding the Embraer Phenom 300 aircraft to its fleet after having a “disappointing” experience working with Honda Aircraft. At the time Honda said its dispatch reliability stood at 99.7 percent, while Gonzales said it was far less, claiming that “for every nine days that we fly a HondaJet, it requires six days of maintenance.”

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