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FEATURE BUSINESS JETS

Light Weight Contenders

The new pair of business jets from Honda Aircraft Company and Pilatus punch well above
their weight
By Atul Chandra

GROWTH IS ExPECTEd TO RETURN TO THE While the demand for light business jets quickly deliver a relatively high number
business aviation market from 2018-2019 has slowed since the early 2000’s, both of units into the market as deliveries to
onwards, in what is expected to be a much- these new aircraft are likely to do very well customers have backed-up.”
awaited market recovery. The focus and as initial reports for both new types have U.S. firm Cutter Aviation has already
profits remain at the top end of the business been very positive. There new business commenced charter operations with the new
aviation segment and the light business jet jets also introduce unique technologies HondaJet. The light jet is the fastest jet in its
category has remained listless for quite and features into the market, allowing class with a maximum cruise speed of 422
some time now. According to Honeywell’s them to differentiate themselves from knots (486 mph) and a maximum altitude of
25th annual Global Business Aviation the immediate competition. The HondaJet 43,000 feet. The aircraft is one of the most
Outlook released in 2016, up to 8,600 new is currently offered for sale only in North fuel-efficient light jets in its class by up to
business jet deliveries were forecast up to America, South America and Europe and has 17 percent. “We are delighted to be the first
2026. However, the bulk of the expenditures already received an estimated 100 orders Charter provider offering flights with the
on new business jets through 2021, was to so far. The current production rate for the
belong to the aircraft classes across the type is 36 aircraft per annum and this is to be
super mid-size category through ultralong- ramped up to 80 by 2019. The HA-420 costs
range and business liners and account for approximately US$4.5 million. According to
more than 85 percent of the market. Jetcraft’s second annual ten year forecast
Two of the newest business jets to for the business aviation industry released
enter the very light jet and light jet category in 2016, “As a new entrant, the HondaJet Deliveries of the PC-24 will start
are the Honda Aircraft Company (HAC) will provide an incremental contribution to later this year and U.S. based
fractional aircraft ownership firm
HA-420 HondaJet very light business jet deliveries in this segment, and with its delays PlaneSense, will take delivery of
and the Pilatus PC-24 light business jet. in securing certification, should be able to the airplane

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