August 19, 2008

Cirrus’ New Vision

Following a successful maiden voyage on July 3, the new Cirrus Design aircraft, previously known in earlier stages as The-Jet, was officially named Vision SJ50. The single-engine personal jet includes a full-plane airframe parachute system, more interior space than any jet of its size, and flexible seating for seven. The jet was designed to be simple to fly and maintain for the owner/pilot's personal and business transportation needs. Already 450 orders have been placed for the $1 million jet, and the company expects to fill those orders within three years. (www.cirrusdesign.com)

—Alexandra Foster

July 22, 2008

Haute Helicopter

Helicopters are functional machines for point-to-point travel, but now because of a partnership between Eurocopter and the French design house Hermès, a helicopter can be a fashion statement as well. A custom design for the EC135, L’Helicoptre par Hermès, includes an Hermès interior featuring hand-crafted calf leather seats; interior surfaces covered in Toile H, a signature Hermès canvas; and a minimalist exterior paint scheme. The changes in form are driven by an effort to maximize space and functionality as well as minimize noise and fatigue. Retooled and extended landing skids permit easier access to the cabin. Even the pilots are not forgotten: Their flight controls are wrapped in hand-stitched leather. The helicopter sells for about $10 million; deliveries are expected to begin later this year. (800.873.0001, www.eurocopterusa.com)

—Mary Grady

July 8, 2008

Fly Door to Dock in a New Super Goose

Cross a yacht with an RV and add wings, and you’d have something close to the Grumman Goose. This twin-engine flying boat can take off or land from a paved runway, a grass strip, or water as shallow as three feet. The design is more than 70 years old, but Antilles Seaplanes, based in North Carolina, is now building brand-new copies of this classic. Upgrades include turboprop engines, state-of-the art avionics, modernized systems, and quick-change interiors to accommodate passengers or cargo. Antilles’ G-21 Super Goose can haul 5,500 pounds and fly at 230 mph for almost 1,400 miles. The roomy cabin holds up to eight. Priced at about $3 million, Antilles is taking orders now for delivery in late 2009. (800.605.1619, www.antillesseaplanes.com)

—Mary Grady

June 24, 2008

Gulfstream’s Latest Jet Is Fastest Yet

While Gulfstream’s corporate jets have long been popular for their range and comfort, they couldn’t keep up with the blazing close-to-supersonic speed of Cessna’s Citation X. But now, Gulfstream’s speedy new G650 jet will take the lead as the world’s fastest civilian aircraft, with a top speed of almost 700 mph. The G650 will fly 8,000 miles nonstop, carrying eight passengers in executive ease, for truly global range. The stand-up cabin is the industry’s widest, at eight feet across. Even the windows will be bigger than anyone else’s. The airplane will fly for the first time late next year, and deliveries are scheduled to start in 2012. Price is about $59 million. (912.965.4679, www.gulfstream.com)

—Mary Grady

June 10, 2008

Astrium Ready to Rocket

If space travel for tourists seems like a far-fetched fantasy available for a small few who are willing to pay millions for the experience, EADS Astrium is making it a reality for a broader audience. Astrium, part of Europe’s biggest aerospace company, is hard at work in Munich, Germany, on a rocket plane that is targeted to fly into space by 2012. The business-jet-size vehicle features luxury interiors designed by Marc Newson, with stylish canary-yellow seats and numerous windows to enjoy the view. The craft will carry four passengers more than 60 miles high, for three minutes of weightlessness (the seats fold away to free up a play area) and a spectacular view. Take-off and climb are powered by a pair of jet engines, then a rocket engine kicks in for the final boost. The trip is expected to cost about $300,000 per person. (www.astrium.eads.net)

― Mary Grady

May 27, 2008

Take Flight for Father’s Day

Give your father the luxury of time with Talon Air’s Father’s Day jet upgrade bonus. In honor of Dad, Talon Air is offering one complimentary class upgrade with the purchase of any of its year-long packages. In addition, a standard package also provides helicopter service to the airport, passenger visa waivers, flat rate for international travel, and flexible membership options. This luxury boutique carrier is distinguished by its first-class amenities, such as its Spa in the Sky option, and on-demand service. Talon’s core fleet is privately owned and operated, and the company employs its crew full-time to guarantee the highest level of security. Talon has exclusive access to all airports that have paved runways, and jets can be chartered with only one hour’s notice. A year of private travel, which includes 50 hours on a mid-sized jet like the Hawker 850XP, starts at $250,000. (631.753.8881, www.talonairjets.com)

―Alyson Gerber

May 13, 2008

On-Call ConciAirge

Jetworks Jets, a Southern California-based private aviation company chartering flights for individuals and corporations since 2002, has started a new global concierge program. ConciAirge is designed to elevate Jetworks’ private jet flights to a comprehensive travel agency, from selecting the most suitable aircraft for your transportation to securing hotel arrangements and entertainment for the duration of your trip. ConciAirge is a members-only personal access card designed to give clients access to Jetworks’ team of travel experts, who are versed in a variety of milieus―from reserving private islands and yachts to booking celebrities for fundraisers. Annual membership for Jetworks charter service, which starts at $1,000, provides access to its concierge benefits. (www.conciairge.com)

―Alexandra Foster

April 29, 2008

Mooney’s Latest Acclaim: S Is for Speed

Over the last few years, aircraft manufacturers Mooney and Columbia both claimed to have built the fastest single-engine piston-powered airplane, but with the Acclaim Type S, Mooney indisputably commands the lead. The Type S slides through the air at up to 278 mph―5 mph faster than earlier versions of the Acclaim, and 8 mph faster than the Columbia 400, now owned by Cessna Aircraft Company. Mooney credits a “series of small aerodynamic refinements” and a new propeller for the speed boost. For pilots who want to leave Chicago after breakfast and arrive in New York for lunch, the Type S provides the means. The cozy interior carries up to four in comfortable hand-stitched leather seats and has plenty of storage space. Prices start at $599,500. (800.456.3033, www.mooney.com)

―Mary Grady

April 15, 2008

Pilatus PC-12: The Next Generation

The Pilatus PC-12 turboprop already has plenty of fans―with the simplicity of single-engine operation, the power and reliability of a turbine, and the comfort of a roomy cabin that holds up to nine passengers, it’s been a top seller in its category. Now, the Next Generation model is proving even more popular. Pilatus says demand is “unprecedented,” and it’s sold out through the end of 2009. The new PC-12 NG upgrades to an even more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine and a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system. The new avionics provide a bright, uncluttered instrument panel, and a fresh cockpit design by BMW Group DesignworksUSA shows it off, maximizing ergonomics and elevating aesthetics. Prices start at $3.78 million. (800.745.2887, www.pilatus-aircraft.com)

―Mary Grady     

March 25, 2008

Meet Columbus, Cessna’s Big, Fat New Jet

March 11, 2008

Future of Travel at 4,000 mph

The days of the Concorde are past, but superfast air travel could still be part of your future. A few supersonic business jets are already in the design stages, but now an even faster category called hypersonic―for Mach 5 and up―is showing promise. The European Union recently put up the equivalent of $14 million to fund further study of the A2 hypersonic design from British firm Reaction Engines Ltd. The company says it’s Scimitar engine could drive the ship at Mach 5.5, flying from London to Sydney in under four hours. The airplane would carry 300 passengers at a ticket price comparable to today’s business class, the company says, and the engines would use clean-burning hydrogen fuel. Service could start within 25 years if there is enough funding. (www.reactionengines.co.uk) 

―Mary Grady