Recently in NBAA 2009 Category

ORLANDO -- Following in the footsteps of last week's 747-8I interior video, Boeing is featuring a 1:20 scale model of the 787 in VIP configuration here at NBAA. You may remember this very model from NBAA 2008 when I snapped a quick photo with my phone titled "Pimp My Dreamliner". The video sequel gets you MUCH closer to the meticulous detail built into the model. Enjoy!

The business aviation industry is not out of the woods just yet, but General Dynamics executive vice-president, Joe Lombardo, is cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the future.

"We're starting to see some favorable signs, I'm not going to tell you that we're back on the upswing necessarily, there are some early signs that we're starting to pull ourselves out of this," says Lombardo.

Lombardo adds that reduction in service activities, the loss of skilled jobs, global credit crunch, jet fuel prices, as well as the negative public perception of business aviation have taken their toll on the industry.

Yet, in the last two to three months, Lombardo says he has seen a demand growing internationally in emerging markets for the company's large cabin G550 aircraft.

Meanwhile, Gulfstream is pushing forward with its new twin airplane programs. The company's large-cabin G650 is progressing toward its maiden sortie and is currently running through safety of flight testing checkouts before moving into higher speed taxi tests at Gulfstream's Savannah, Georgia facility.

Pres Henne, Gulfstream senior vice-president of programs, engineering and test says that the G650 structural airframe is undergoing static testing, while the second test vehicle, designated T2, progresses through final assembly. Henne adds that T3 and P1, the first production G650, are already in the production system ahead of final assembly.

More than 6,300 miles away, Henne says that the super mid-size G250, which rolled out just days after the G650, is progressing at a similar pace to its large cabin sibling with safety of flight checkouts and static testing well underway in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Both aircraft are expected to fly by the close of 2009.

"When the 'I's are dotted and the 'T's are crossed," says Henne. "We'll be ready to fly,"

NBAA 09: Embraer joins the '650' club
By John Croft

Embraer has revealed that it has successfully flown the first Legacy 650 large-cabin business jet, an upgraded version of its super-midsize Legacy 600. The launch brings to seven the total number of executive jets in the Brazilian airframer's portfolio.

"One thing our Legacy customers kept telling us is that the aircraft should have more range," says Claudio Camelier, Embraer's vice-president of market intelligence for executive jets. "The 650 is a response to that demand.

Embraer began delivering the Legacy 600, a derivative of the ERJ-135 regional jet, in 2002 and has produced more than 170 to date. Embraer considers the Legacy 600 to be a super-midsize category aircraft and the new 650 a large-cabin offering.

The company has two 650s flying in Brazil, one prototype and one pre-series version that flew within days of each other for the first time in late September, says Camelier. The flight test programme is scheduled for completion by mid-2010, with certification and service entry expected in the second half of 2010. The company launched the programme internally in first half of 2008, says Camelier.
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Follow @flightglobal and @flightblogger on Twitter for updates throughout #NBAA09

Boeing
This is going to be an interesting week coming up for Boeing. They've brought their BBJ Convertible to the show here in Orlando and are laying low with no announcements planned. However, the week will not be short on Boeing news with Wednesday's quarterly earnings call with CEO Jim McNerney and CFO James Bell. The company has promised an update on the 787 wing fix, which has been the subject of much discussion in recent days.

Hawker Beechcraft
The HBC 'military style' press conference kicked off media day this morning here in Orlando. The black flight suit clad executives struck a confident note as they expect the industry to rebound in late 2012 or late 2013. The company expects to see a "turbulent" 2010, but will have first flight of the Premier II in the first quarter of next year and the company will deliver its first e-enabled Hawker 750 and 900XP next year as well.

Embraer
Expect updates on the Phenom 300 flight test and Phenom 100 production, as well as news on development of the Legacy 450 and 500. Word on the street is that Embraer may announce something new this afternoon. Keep an eye out for big news from the Brazilian airframer around 1 PM.

Gulfstream
Gulfstream's pair of new business aircraft - G250 and G650 - are rapidly approaching their maiden flights. Program updates for both aircraft should be on tap from Gulfstream mid-morning Monday. Also, keep an ear our for what the company has to say about the perenially discussed vapor-based supersonic business jet.

Cessna
Needless to say, it's been a rough year for Cessna, with nearly a reduction in nearly 50% of its workforce and cancellation of the Cessna Columbus program. CEO Jack Pelton will be leading a press conference at 3pm and should provide an important indicator of the health of both the city of Wichita's aerospace cluster and the business jet industry as a whole.

Airbus
For the first time, Airbus will display an A318 Elite on the NBAA static display this week. The aircraft is the 10th Elite delivered as part of a total 25 orders won by Airbus for the type. Look for the European airframer to continue emphasizing VVIP retrofits for existing A330 and A340 passenger aircraft, which Airbus believes will begin coming out of service when the A350 comes online in 2013.

Bombardier
Like NBAA 2008, Bombardier is focusing on its new composite mid-size Learjet 85. The airplane was on less-than-solid ground last year after Grob folded, but the program is making progress and represents the only major new aircraft program currently on tap for Wichita's future. Bombardier will provide a program update on Tuesday afternoon.