Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Nextant Aerospace is announcing today at ABACE 2014 that it has selected Avic International Aero-Development as its exclusive sales representative for the Greater China region (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau). This follows Nextant’s appointment of Nextant Pacific as its dealer in the Asia-Pacific region (not including Greater China).


Nextant Aerospace of Cleveland, Ohio, specializes in the remanufacturing of business aircraft. Its first product is the Nextant 400XTi twin-engine jet, a Beechjet 400A/XP with new Williams International FJ44-3AP engines and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics as well as other aerodynamic and reliability improvements. The company is currently developing the G90XT, a modified King Air 90 twin turboprop with new GE H75 engines and Garmin G1000 avionics.


Nextant Aerospace expects to receive CAAC certification for the 400XTi this year. “We put in an application with the CAAC last year,” said Nextant president Sean McGeough, “and we’re working with a consultant to fast-track that.”


While the Beechjet 400A/XT is certified in China, the 400XTi changes will likely be certified under a supplemental type certification program, he said, as they are in the U.S. and other countries. The upgrade boosts performance and delivers a range of 2,003 nm (four passengers with 100-nm NBAA IFR reserves) and a high-speed cruise of 460 knots.


Avic International Aero-Development (Booth P713) will own the first 400XTi in China and has signed for the first delivery position. While Chinese business jet buyers have tended to favor larger aircraft, McGeough, who has lengthy experience working in China, sees a ready market for the 400XTi.


“Avic International Aero-Development’s focus on aviation, its extensive customer network and its market and policy insights give Nextant direct lines of communication with all of our target markets: corporations, entrepreneurs and charter operators,” McGeough said. “In a climate of increased focus on efficiency and productivity, the Nextant value proposition is especially compelling. Coupled with relaxing regulatory constraints and expanding aviation infrastructure we see strong near- and mid-term potential for the region.” This includes special-mission variants of the 400XTi such as air ambulance, airport calibration, surveillance, search and rescue, high density and cargo.


McGeough sees a strong market for the G90XT in China as well. “GE has a great footprint in China and the King Air is well-respected in China,” he explained. “We’ve had tremendous interest in the last several months from flight schools and entrepreneurs in China.”


“We are very pleased to partner with Nextant Aerospace for the Greater China region,” said Fu Yuming, vice president of Avic International Aero-Development. “Senior business leaders in China are looking for cost-effective solutions for travel within China that isn’t reliant on commercial airline schedules. The 400XTi has the ability to fly direct anywhere in China and provide needed private space to conduct business during the flight. It is a high-quality product at a reasonable cost, and that kind of value will be in high demand in the coming years.”

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