The announcement was made Thursday during a signing ceremony at Gulfstream’s customer support facility in Farnborough, England.

• READ MORE: Gulfstream G400 Makes First Flight, Launches Test Program

“We appreciate DC Aviation’s commitment to and confidence in the G400, bringing this category-leading aircraft to European charter customers,” said Scott Neal, Gulfstream’s senior vice president of worldwide sales. “The compelling combination of speed, efficiency, and cabin size of the G400 fills a much-needed void in its category. We are seeing strong demand for this aircraft in Europe and around the world.”

• READ MORE: Gulfstream G700 Obtains FAA Certification

The G400 made its debut flight on August 15, reaching a speed of Mach 0.85 and altitude of 41,000 feet. The aircraft boasts advanced technology, including Gulfstream’s Symmetry Flight Deck and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812GA engines, promising superior performance and efficiency.

The G400 has an impressive projected range of 4,200 nm and features a 100 percent fresh air system and low cabin altitude pressurization. The aircraft is priced at $34.5 million.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Gulfstream Secures First G400 Sale appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

A Form 10-Q—a quarterly financial report submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission— filed by Volato on August 14 showed the company spiraling into the red, recording a net loss of $34.3 million for the six months ending June 30. The same form stated Volato has a negative working capital of $18.2 million and an accumulated deficit of $98 million as of June 30. Net cash used in operating activities for the six months was $7.4 million.

“These above matters raise substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” the form stated. “During the next [12] months, the company intends to fund its operations through a combination of issuing debt and equity as well as the sale of aircraft at a premium to cost.”

Additionally, the form stated that management believes that its current cash position will allow Volato to continue as a going concern and to fund its operations for at least one year from the date the financials were made available.

The filing also stated that on June 18 Volato received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) advising the company that it is not in compliance with NYSE American continued listing standards, requiring it to have stockholders’ equity of at least $2 million if it has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in two of its three most recent fiscal years.

Section 1003(a)(ii) of the Company Guide also requires a company to have stockholders’ equity of at least $4 million if it has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years.

Volato stated in the form that the company has submitted a plan to the NYSE American LLC on July 18, outlining actions the company will take to regain compliance by December 18, 2025.

“The notice does not affect [Volato’s] ongoing business operations or its reporting requirements with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,” the form stated.

‘Rightsizing’

In a company letter from Volato CEO Matt Liotta obtained by FLYING, Liotta explained the decision to “rightsize” the company’s fleet and crew by removing five leased planes and furloughing some of its pilots.

“This is not a decision we take lightly, and it is the first time we have taken such a step,” Liotta stated in the letter. “However, I want to emphasize that this decision is based on our need to align with both the timing of new HondaJet deliveries, in which we have full confidence, and the pace of demand growth.”

In that statement, Liotta referenced Volato’s 2023 purchase of 25 HondaJets from Honda Aircraft company. These jets were slated to be delivered by 2025, but Liotta said delayed deliveries of the new aircraft and lower than expected sales have put financial pressure on Volato.

He also said demand for Volato’s services, while up, aren’t as high as anticipated.

“This situation requires us to make some difficult but necessary adjustments,” Liotta said.

He went on to say that Volato had been working closely with Honda to increase the availability and utilization of Volato’s fleet.

“…We’ve made substantial progress that allows us to fly individual planes more efficiently, meaning we can meet our flight hour needs with fewer planes,” Liotta said. “This not only strengthens our financial position but also benefits our fractional customers by delivering more revenue share to them—a true win-win.”

After attempts to renegotiate Volato’s more expensive plane leases, Liotta said that the company was unable to reach acceptable terms and decided to end those leases. By flying more hours per plane, he said the company aims to enhance its profitability and attract more interest in its fractional ownership program.

“This decision is about managing our business wisely and positioning Volato for long-term success,” Liotta said. “By rightsizing our fleet and crew now, we’re setting ourselves up to navigate these challenges effectively and prepare for future growth. Thank you for your continued dedication and resilience. We will get through this together and come out stronger on the other side.”

Volato lost over $17 million last quarter and currently has $5.8 million in cash. Volato did not immediately respond to FLYING’s request for comment.

Jet It Déjà Vu

Readers may recall FLYING parent company Firecrown owner and CEO Craig Fuller’s article last summer detailing the demise of Jet It, another fractional ownership charter jet operator. 

“Jet It generated revenue through several major sources— fractional-owner hourly fees; monthly maintenance fees; up-front selling of aircraft fractional positions; and off-network charter flights,” Fuller, who was also a Jet It fractional owner, wrote in the article analyzing its business model.

The flaws in this model emerged when Jet It—-contractually obligated to guarantee fractional owners aircraft availability within 72 hours advance notice—was required to go into the charter market and purchase aircraft time at the charter market’s clearing rate. Fuller stated that these rates were often five times the rate that the fractional owner was paying Jet It for the same service.

Additionally, a key driver of Jet It’s cash flow was in selling fractional aircraft positions—especially during the start of the pandemic.

“In the early days of COVID, as interest around personal aviation exploded, so did cash flow opportunities for Jet It,”  Fuller wrote. “In fact, it is likely that the company relied too heavily on this source of cash to fund its operations.”

Fuller wrote that in 2021, and 2022 supply chain issues started to impact Honda Aircraft Company, and Jet It could not source as many airplanes to sell to members. This caused cash flow from new fractional sales to dry up, severely impacting Jet It’s business model.

Jet It closed down on May 24, 2023.

The post Volato to Drop 5 Leased Jets, Furlough Pilots appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to the company, the G400 departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) in Georgia and stayed aloft for 2 hours, 55 minutes, reaching a speed of Mach 0.85 and altitude of 41,000 feet.

“The aircraft accomplished this mission using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel from Gulfstream’s Savannah campus,” Gulfstream said.

• READ MORE: Gulfstream G500, G600 Hit Flight-Hour Milestone

The G400 features Gulfstream’s aerodynamic clean-wing design with winglets for better efficiency. Power is supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812GA engines. The cockpit features the Symmetry Flight Deck and Predictive Landing Performance System, which, according to Gulfstream, “helps improve flight safety and pilot situational awareness.”

The G400 can be configured with seating for nine to 12 passengers. The aircraft features the company’s signature “Gulfstream Cabin Experience” with “100 percent fresh, never recirculated air purified by a plasma ionization clean air system,” along with light from the aircraft’s 10 oval, panoramic windows. 

“The completion of the first flight marks a significant milestone for the G400,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “It demonstrates, yet again, the maturity of Gulfstream’s new aircraft programs and the advantages created by the intentionally designed commonalities shared across our next-generation fleet.”

The post Gulfstream G400 Makes First Flight, Launches Test Program appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to the Seattle Times, the first aircraft took off from King County International Airport/Boeing Field (KBFI) on Friday at 6 p.m. PDT with Boeing pilots and FAA personnel on board.

The flight is the first of several that will be conducted over the next 18 months.

According to Boeing, the 777X is designed to be more fuel efficient with reduced carbon dioxide emissions and have a greater operating range and lower operational cost than the Airbus A350, which is considered its direct competition. 

The wings of the 777X have a folding tip that the company said “enables high-span efficiency while maintaining taxiway and gate compatibility.”

In the cockpit there is touchscreen technology similar to what is used in the B777 and B787 aircraft. Passengers aboard the 777X will note there is more room in the cabin, as it has been extended laterally by 4 inches. In addition, the windows are larger and placed higher in the bulkhead.

The post Boeing 777X Begins FAA Certification Flight Testing appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

For over 42 years, the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) has been quietly working in the background to make this happen for as many cancer patients as possible, regardless of their financial status.

The CAN nonprofit story is an important one to tell, and AVweb contributor Larry Anglisano does just that with a sit-down discussion with CAN president and CEO Bob Stangarone and other volunteers who help make it happen.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Nonprofit Turns to Jets to Fight Cancer appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, NetJets has 8,300-plus employees worldwide, helping to serve 10,200-plus owners in the United States and an additional 2,200-plus owners in Europe. The company counts more than 40 Fortune 100 companies as clients.

NetJets’ fleet includes 137 light jets, 329 midsize jets, 151 super-midsize jets, 60 large jets, and 68 long-range jets.

NetJets Mission Statement 

Per its website: “Our mission is to enrich the lives of our owners with extraordinary experiences.”—Adam Johnson, chairman and CEO

Latest NetJets Jobs on FindaPilot.com

• PIC – G450 – Green Bay, WI – Charter Pilot Job
• PIC – Challenger 300 – Dallas, TX – Charter Pilot Job
• PIC – Legacy 600 – Miami, FL – Charter Pilot Job
• PIC – Sovereign – Burlington, VT – Charter Pilot Job
• PIC – Gulfstream 500 – Boca Raton, FL – Charter Pilot Job
• SIC – CL650 – Charter Pilot Job
• PIC – Gulfstream G200 – San Jose, CA – Charter Pilot Job

NetJets in the News

NetJets to Add Bombardier Global 8000 to Fleet: NetJets will operate a fleet of 24 Global 8000 aircraft, which includes the new firm order for four Global 8000 jets, eight conversions of Bombardier aircraft previously ordered, and aircraft already on order or in service.

FlightSafety International Partners With eVTOL Developer Lilium and NetJets: FlightSafety International partners with fractional aircraft ownership company NetJets and Germany-based Lilium to help train pilots to fly electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis.

NetJets to Purchase Up to 150 Lilium eVTOLs: Fractional aircraft ownership company NetJets has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to buy 150 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis from Germany-based Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM).

Other Resources

• NetJets Careers 
• Twitter 
• LinkedIn  
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

The post Employer Profile: NetJets appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The milestone flight for the aircraft—called P1—on Wednesday over Wichita, Kansas, follows that of the Ascend prototype, which completed its first flight in 2023, making the P1 aircraft the first conforming production flight test aircraft, Textron said.

The Citation Ascend was introduced in 2023 during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE).

• READ MORE: Textron Aviation Unveils Cessna Citation Ascend in Geneva

The P1, piloted by Michael Bradfield and Maurice Girard, flew for 1 hour and 24 minutes, reaching a max altitude of 13,500 feet with a max speed of 308 knots. Company officials said the aircraft will be used for the flight test program, primarily for systems testing, including propulsion, human factors, environmental control, and avionics.

“[The] successful flight of the second Citation Ascend test article marks another achievement for the program, and that’s a testament to the many great employees involved with this project,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president of engineering at Textron. “The aircraft has continued to perform well through the phases of testing, and I continue to be confident in the program’s momentum and in our skilled team members who make it possible.”

The Citation Ascend flight test certification program is expected to complete certification testing with the two test articles—the prototype and P1. To date, the program has accumulated more than 400 flight hours.

About the Citation Ascend

Textron Aviation says the Citation Ascend was designed based on customer feedback for performance and comfort. Among the features is a flat floor to provide more legroom and flexibility for passengers, 19 standard USB charging ports, and three universal outlets throughout the aircraft, which has room for nine passengers.

The aircraft will utilize Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines and state-of-the-art Garmin G5000 avionics that feature the latest software and hardware, including autothrottle technology. In addition, the Ascend also boasts a Honeywell RE100 [(XL) auxiliary power unit (APU) approved for unattended operations.

The post Cessna Citation Ascend Makes Milestone Test Flight appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Both aircraft are equipped with the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck, featuring touchscreen technology and powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Gulfstream G500

“This achievement is a result of the strong demand and high flight activity we’re seeing from customers around the world,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream. “Having exceeded 100,000 flight hours further reiterates the durability and dependability of the G500 and G600.”

Gulfstream, By the Numbers

The G500 can fly 5,300 nm at Mach 0.85 or 4,500 nm at Mach 0.90.

The G600 can fly 6,600 nm at Mach 0.85 or 5,600 nm at Mach 0.90.

Both aircraft have a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925.

• READ MORE: Gulfstream Aerospace Completes Manufacturing Expansion

Both aircraft have FAA certification for steep-approach operations, which gives the fleet access to some of the world’s most technically challenging airports.

According to Gulfstream, there are more than 260 of the aircraft in service, and the airframes hold multiple speed records.

The post Gulfstream G500, G600 Hit Flight-Hour Milestone appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The deliveries come less than a month after Gulfstream received FAA type and production certification (March 29 and April 8, respectively) for the new, Rolls-Royce Pearl 700-powered G700. The engines have greater than 18,000 pounds of thrust, each.

• READ MORE: Gulfstream G700 Obtains FAA Certification

The FAA nods, entry-into-service, and as many as 15 deliveries had been expected by the end of last year. But delays in the certification process, largely attributed to FAA staffing woes, have slowed the progress for the new model. The good news for Gulfstream is that this year’s deliveries for all models are expected to spike to as many as 160 aircraft, a boost of some 44 percent.

Mark Burns, Gulfstream president, said, “We appreciate the confidence our customers have demonstrated in our aircraft and look forward to continuing these deliveries in the weeks ahead.”

• READ MORE: New Gulfstream G700 Beats Projections During Testing

The $75 million G700, which Gulfstream says features “the most spacious cabin in the industry,” also features a maximum range of 7,750 nm (at Mach 0.85). The twinjet can cover legs of 6,650 nm at Mach 0.90. Its maximum operating speed is Mach 0.935, making it the fastest business jet in the Gulfstream line. And the G700’s pressurization system enables the “industry’s lowest cabin altitude,” according to the Savannah, Georgia-based manufacturer.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Gulfstream G700 Enters Service With First Two Deliveries appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The milestone paves the way for deliveries of the long-awaited business jet—initially projected for the first quarter of 2024—to begin,

• READ MORE: What’s Next in New Aircraft

“We have successfully completed the most rigorous certification program in company history with the G700,” Gulfstream president Mark Burns said in a statement. “The G700 brings a new level of performance and cabin comfort to business aviation and is doing so while meeting the highest certification standards our industry has ever seen.”

• READ MORE: Engine Certification Brings Gulfstream G700, G800 Closer to Market Debut

The G700 is powered by two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and able to accommodate up to 19 passengers. 

According to the manufacturer, the certification of the G700 confirms new performance improvements, “giving customers increased flexibility and airport availability: a balanced field length takeoff distance of 5,995 feet and a landing distance of 3,150 feet (standard [International Standard Atmosphere] day, sea level), both shorter than originally anticipated.”

• READ MORE: New Gulfstream G700 Beats Projections During Testing

In September, Gulfstream said the G700 had a range up to 7,750 nm at Mach 0.85 or 6,650 nm at Mach 0.90, which represented a gain of 250 nm at both speeds compared to original projections. The aircraft’s top operating speed was Mach 0.935, and its cabin altitude was reduced to 2,840 feet.

The post Gulfstream G700 Obtains FAA Certification appeared first on FLYING Magazine.