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

Four business jet OEMs are raising the stakes in the light jet market. One new jet—the HondaJet Echelon—is in development, and significant upgrades are happening to three well-established models: the Embraer Phenom 100EX, Pilatus PC-24, and Textron Aviation Citation CJ3 Gen2. Predecessors of these latter three light jets have sold well, but this is a market that likes new and shiny, and a lack of regular upgrades is a sure way to turn off potential buyers.
Remarkably, in this age of high inflation, Embraer has not only excised 190 pounds from the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-10-09/embraer-phenom-100ex-sports-lighter-cabin-more-safety">Phenom 100EX</a> but has also added many features while maintaining the $4.995 million price tag. Owners who pay the bills will appreciate the EX cabin’s finer touches such as the upper tech panel inspired by Embraer's larger models, wider seats, and flush-to-the-wall tables. Pilots who have flown the latest Phenom 300E will see the same Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System, stabilized approach, and new radar features in the 100EX.
As <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-06-13/honda-aircraft-go-launch-2600-light-jet?qt-latest_trending=0">announced in June</a>, Honda Aircraft is proceeding with “commercialization” of its next model, unveiled as the Concept 2600 at NBAA-BACE 2021. Now named the HondaJet Echelon, the jet features midsize jet comfort, speed, and range but in a light jet airframe that can fly coast-to-coast in the U.S. nonstop.
Pilatus has sold out production of the PC-24 since it entered service in 2018, and the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-10-10/pilatus-boosts-pc-24s-payload-range-and-cabin">updated version</a> will no doubt help the Swiss manufacturer maintain its momentum. Now available with a side-facing divan and a Lufthansa Technik Nice cabin management system, the PC-24’s range is 200 nm higher, up to 2,000 nm with six passengers. A new predictive maintenance system has also been added.
Textron Aviation’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-10-16/textron-aviation-unveils-citation-cj3-gen2">Gen2 update</a> of the CJ3 brings this jet in line with other Gen2s. It offers new features to the model’s owner-pilot and charter operator buyers, such as a fold-down side-facing seat in the front of the cabin and new swiveling options for the passenger seats. All seats have USB-C ports and wireless charging trays. Pilots will appreciate the new autothrottles integrated with the Garmin G3000 avionics and extra legroom in the flight deck.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Market for Light Business Jets Is Seeing New Competition

OEMs are upgrading their light jets as Honda proceeds with a new model

Light jet models have sold well, but this is a market that likes new and shiny, and a lack of regular upgrades is a sure way to turn off potential buyers.

Bizav OEMs Don't Take Small Jet Market Lightly

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

NBAA-BACE 2023

In this article

Textron Aviation

More In Aircraft

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

Deal to close this year

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

Helsinki Evaluates Hybrid-electric Flight Connections

City officials and a local university are working with manufacturer Electra

Zuri Prepares to Fly Hybrid-electric Cargo Drone

Platform offers 100 kilogram payload and 300 nm range

Jetcraft Bullish on Preowned Business Aircraft Market

Broker says new aircraft production rates and tax changes are key drivers

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN