Aircraft News - North America

AirGuide Business, March 17, 2008

GE Aviation

GE Aviation began a scrap reclamation program with Turkish Airlines as launch partner to recycle hardware containing rhenium. Program calls for customers to return scrap HPT blades made from nickel superalloys containing rhenium to GE. "The program will help them with their environmental efforts as well as help reduce the costs associated with material disposal. For GE, it will help us reduce our need for rhenium, which is a rare and costly element," VP-Supply Chain Scott Ernest said. Material is to be cleaned and melted for reuse. Work will be carried out by THY subsidiary Turkish Technic. Mar 10, 2008

General Electric

Air Force wants to keep GE on JSF program. Senior Air Force officials want to keep General Electric involved in the Joint Strike Fighter contract despite opposition from the DoD. United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney unit is the primary engine provider for the JSF, but GE has developed an alternative engine for the plane. Mar 13, 2008

General Electric

General Electric GEnx-2B for the Boeing 748-8 demonstrated 70,950 lb. of takeoff thrust during ground testing yesterday at GE's outdoor testing facility in Peebles, Ohio. Ground testing on the engine began with idle runs on Feb. 29. "This achievement marks a significant milestone in the GEnx-2B program," Program GM Tom Brisken said. Certification will involve five engines and is anticipated in the first half of 2009 with EIS later next year. Mar 13, 2008

Gulfstream Aerospace

Gulfstream Aerospace on Thursday launched the new G650 business jet, its biggest, fastest, longest-range plane to date, as it looks to take advantage of the continuing boom in private plane sales and the trend toward larger aircraft. The G650, priced at just under USD$60 million, will have a range of 7,000 nautical miles (about 12,950 km) at a speed of 0.85 Mach, which means it would be able to fly non-stop from Los Angeles to London. It will have a maximum cabin headroom of about 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters) and larger, oval windows. The plane is set for first test flight late next year and first delivery in 2012. Gulfstream, a unit of General Dynamics, is pricing the jet at USD$59.5 million each, but early customers can expect discounts, a common practice in the aviation industry. The Savannah, Georgia-based company caters to the upper end of the business jet market, but has recently seen potential customers opt for versions of larger commercial planes made by Boeing and Airbus. Mar 13, 2008

Gulfstream Aerospace

Gulfstream G650 will fly faster than a 747, the fastest commercial jet. The Gulfstream G650 will fly nearly 700 miles per hour and will be the fastest private jet available when deliveries start in 2012. The plane will seat 18 people and feature a full kitchen and bar. The company said the plane will start with a base price of $58 million. Mar 13, 2008

Jet Aviation, Dnata Switzerland

Jet Aviation Handling will be rebranded as Dnata Switzerland. The new name follows the acquisition of the Swiss airport services provider by Dnata in November 2007. Mar 13, 2008