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FEATURE BUSINESS JETS

The aircraft will also benefit from the
success and large user base of the PC-12
programme; the 1500th PC-12 is scheduled
for delivery in a few months from now.
According to Jetcraft, “While the aircraft
program does not introduce any new
complex technology that would jeopardise
the certification process, a wait-and-see
approach is best employed to determine
whether Pilatus can indeed attract a non-
traditional customer base (turboprop
owners) to the segment. The delivery of the
first aircraft later this year will mark the end
of the design and development process for
the new type, which commenced in 2008,
when the development concepts of the PC-
24 were launched. The test flight programme
called for approximately 2,300 flight hours
to be completed and the aerodynamic design
for the aircraft was frozen in October 2016.
The third and final prototype, which will also
new HondaJet. This aircraft comfortably has said that it will resume taking orders this be the first series produced aircraft is to join
seats up to six passengers, has a fully year for deliveries of aircraft after 2019. The the test flight programme shortly.
enclosed lavatory, provides more baggage company had received 84 orders for the PC-
space than competitors and provides the 24 at EBACE 2014, following which no new
customer an experience unlike any other orders were accepted. Potential customers
light jet on the market,” said Gordon Paige, for the aircraft will be turboprop aircraft TOP: Honda’s HA-420 is the
Cutter’s Director of Operations. The HA-420 owners, attracted by the combination of fastest jet in its class with a
is powered by two HF120 light-jet engines, a jet aircraft which has a rear cargo door, maximum cruise speed of 422
knots (486 mph)
developed by GE Honda Aero Engines, a quick-change configuration for flexibility
50/50 joint venture between GE and Honda and outstanding short runway performance. BOTTOM: Michimasa Fujino
which is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of The PC-24 is expected to find favour in President and CEO of Honda
the HondaJet’s most unique features is its international markets, such as Africa, Middle Aircraft Company with David
Joyce, President and CEO of GE
Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) East and SE Asia, because of its short field Aviation. Two HondaJets have
configuration and the natural laminar capability. been ordered by GE
flow wings which increase flight speed
contributing to greater fuel efficiency.
Swiss airframer Pilatus is scheduled to
deliver the first Pilatus PC-24 in late 2017
to U.S. based fractional aircraft ownership
firm PlaneSense. The company will receive
the first production PC-24 aircraft at its
company headquarters in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire. This will be followed by the
delivery of an aircraft to the Royal Flying
Doctor Service of Australia. PlaneSense has
already signed for five more airplanes. “We
are pleased to build upon our longstanding
relationship with Pilatus by adding jets
to our fleet, and we highly anticipate the
honour of acquiring the first PC-24 in the
world,” said George Antoniadis, President
and CEO of PlaneSense. The PC-24 will cost
in the region of 8.9 million dollars and Pilatus
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