 | |
| Website | nextantaerospace.com |
|---|---|
Nextant Aerospace is a United States-based company specializing in the remanufacturing of business jets. [1] Founded in 2007, Nextant is the first company to introduce the concept of aircraft remanufacturing to the business jet market. [1]
The company's first product is the Nextant 400XT, a modified and modernized Beechjet 400A/XP that sells for approximately one-half the price of competing models with comparable features and specifications. [2]
The 400XT is equipped with 3,050-pound-thrust Williams FJ44-3AP Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC) turbofan engines [3] and a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ integrated avionics suite. It also has multiple aerodynamic and airframe enhancements including a streamlined, conically lofted engine cowling along with a newly designed engine beam and mounting system that is significantly stronger when compared to the original installation. [4]
The aircraft offers options such as several alternative seating configurations, a Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system, entertainment equipment, LED lighting [5] and Internet and satellite phone access. [6]
The aircraft has a 460 knot (850 kilometers per hour) cruising speed and a National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) IFR range of 2,005 nautical miles (3,713 kilometers) with four passengers. [7] Compared to the Beechcraft 400A, the upgrade increases range by 50 percent, improves fuel efficiency by 32 percent, [8] reduces climb times by one-third and reduces operating costs by 29 percent. [9] Noise compliance exceeds Stage IV requirements. [10]
The 400XT made its first test flight in March 2010. [9] Receipt of final certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was announced in October 2011. [11] Deliveries of the Nextant 400XT began that same month, with initial deliveries of a 40-aircraft, [7] $150 million order to private aviation company Flight Options LLC. [9]
An upgraded version of the aircraft, the Nextant 400XTi, was introduced in 2014. It now competes with an official modification called Hawker 400XPR, produced by Textron in collaboration with Sierra Industries.
At the October 2018 NBAA convention, Nextant introduced a baseline, $4.5 million 400XTe version to be delivered from 2019 for charter and utility operators, with a three-screen rather than a four-screen layout flight deck and without the VIP interior of the $5.4 million XTi, but an optional high-density seating for up to nine passengers. [12]
In 2017, Textron Aviation delivered first Hawker 400XPR, a factory-engineered and supported upgrade to 400XP which competes with Nextant 400XT. [13]
Nextant's aircraft remanufacturing program is distinguished from ones focused on the refurbishment or replacement of engines or other components by a factory-based, standardized process designed for serialized production. [9]
The 6,000 man-hour remanufacturing process takes all life-limited components to zero-time status, either through replacement or overhaul, resulting in a plane that is 88 percent new. The airframe itself, which is not life-limited, is the only significant remaining part., [14] [7] Consequently, the 400XT is considered to be a new type in the Aircraft Bluebook. [6]
As a result of the remanufacturing process, Nextant offers buyers of the 400XT a two-year whole aircraft warranty, pilot training with a uniform training curriculum and Level D full-flight simulator and a service network that includes nine centers in the U.S. and a tenth facility in Milan Linate, Italy. [7] [15]
The 400XT can cruise at Mach 0.75-0.78 at FL430-450, pilots are comfortable flying it nearly five hours and typical missions are three hours. It burns 1,200 lb (540 kg) of fuel the first hour, dropping to 850–900 lb (390–410 kg) for the second at high speed, 750–875 lb (340–397 kg)/hr at Mach 0.73. Basic operating weights range from 11,000 to 11,100 lb (5,000 to 5,000 kg), full tanks payload is less than 500–600 lb (230–270 kg) but the average passengers are three, it can fly six passengers more than 1,500 nmi (2,800 km). [16]
In October 2013, Travel Management Co. announced it would convert all its 50 jets, boosting the order book to more than 100. By the end of 2014, Nextant had completed 50 aircraft and nearly 30 of 40 on order had been returned to Flight Options. Customers are achieving 95.8% dispatch reliability. [16]
The first reconditioned aircraft sold for $4.2 million and 2013 400XTi aircraft sold for just under $5 million, commanding in 2014 between $3.2 million and $4.2 million second hand (80 to 84% resale value). In 2014 its closest competitors used were the Embraer Phenom 300 with similar range but a longer cabin and a more maintenance friendly design, commanding $7 to $8.5 million second hand; the smaller cabin cross-sections Cessna CitationJet: 10-year-old CJ3s are just over $4 million but are slower, CJ4 aircraft go for $6.7 million for 2010 models to more than $9 million for 2014 models; or the Learjet 40XR but its weight, runway performance and fuel consumption are worse. [16]
The $2.8 million Nextant G90XT is a remanufactured Beech King Air with its PT6A-135s replaced by single lever Czech GE H75s, a Garmin G1000 cockpit and a new cabin. Improved metals and 3D aero compressor enable a direct climb over FL250 and 275 to 280 kn (509 to 519 km/h) cruise, up to 17 kn (31 km/h) faster than a C90GT, while having 10% better fuel burn, 10% longer overhaul interval, and lower maintenance costs. It has a 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) range at full fuel with a single pilot and three passengers, 100 nmi (190 km) less for each additional passenger: below single-engine turboprops, like the Socata TBM and the Pilatus PC-12, but with a FL220 single engine altitude. The pre-production model max cruise is 263 kn (487 km/h) while burning 616 lb (279 kg)/hr at FL240, ISA+2 °C and 9,000 lb (4,100 kg), lowering to 317 lb (144 kg)/hr at a 199 kn (369 km/h) long-range cruise. [17]
The Bombardier Challenger 604-based 604XT was launched in 2017 with a Rockwell Collins ProLine Fusion flightdeck up from a ProLine 4. In October 2018, 100 flight test hours were logged, for certification and introduction planned for the fourth quarter. The second phase introduces a redesigned cabin and a wing extension boosting its range by up to 500nmi, for an 18- to 24-month certification timeframe. [18]
By November, Nextant had secured the US STC for the avionics upgrade, before an early December first delivery. Of the over 300 Challenger 604s, 25 installations were pre-sold. The redesigned cabin and aerodynamic enhancements to increase range by 500nmi (925 km) to over 4,500nmi will follow. [19]
As of October 29, 2019, Constant Aviation has delivered 23 Production 604XT's with the Nextant Next Gen Flight Deck. Constant Aviation expects to have completed 30 deliveries by the end of 2019 with significant backlog into 2020. Challenger 604 operators are seeing the advantage of improved low visibility operations and advanced features in the 604XT Flight Deck, such as integrated SXM Weather and the advanced Multiscan Weather Radar.
Nextant was founded in 2007 by aviation entrepreneur Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci, who serves as the company's chief executive officer. Ricci also is a principal of Directional Aviation Capital, a private investment firm which is solely focused on aviation investments. [20] Ricci also serves as chairman of Flight Options, LLC, the second-largest private aviation company in the U.S. [21]
The British Aerospace 125 is a twinjet mid-size business jet. Originally developed by de Havilland and initially designated as the DH.125 Jet Dragon, it entered production as the Hawker Siddeley HS.125, which was the designation used until 1977. Later on, more recent variants of the type were marketed as the Hawker 800.
The Hawker 800 is a mid-size twinjet corporate aircraft. It is a development of the British Aerospace 125, and was assembled by Hawker Beechcraft.
The Pilatus PC-12 is a pressurized, single-engined, turboprop aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland since 1991. It was designed as a high-performance utility aircraft that incorporates a large aft cargo door in addition to the main passenger door. Due to its efficient, high-utility design, the PC-12 is used by a large variety of operators. The main use for the aircraft is corporate transportation, but it is also used by fractional and small regional airlines, air-ambulance operators, and many government agencies, such as police departments and armed forces. The PC-12 is successful with 2,000 deliveries made as of May 2023.
The Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 is a light business jet designed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. Certified for single-pilot operations, it can carry up to 11 occupants.
The Honda HA-420 HondaJet is a light business jet produced by the Honda Aircraft Company of Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Original concepts of the aircraft started in 1997 and were completed in 1999. It took its maiden flight on December 3, 2003, received its FAA type certificate in December 2015, and was first delivered that same month. By the end of 2021, 200 jets had been delivered.
The Hawker 400 is a light business jet. Initially designed and built by Mitsubishi, it has been further developed and updated by the Beech Aircraft Company, now part of Textron Aviation.
The Cessna Citation is a family of business jets by Cessna that started in 1972 with the entry into service of the first model. In the fifty years following the 1969 first flight, more than 7,500 Citations were delivered, forming the largest business jet fleet. Deliveries reached 8,000 by 2022, while logging over 41 million flight hours.
The Hawker 4000, originally known as the Hawker Horizon, is a super-midsize business jet developed by Hawker Beechcraft.
The Beechcraft Premier I is a light business jet aircraft manufactured by the Beechcraft division of Hawker Beechcraft. The aircraft was designed to compete with the Cessna CitationJet series of aircraft.
The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft. The Model 200 and Model 300 series were originally marketed as the "Super King Air" family; the "Super" designation was dropped in 1996. They form the King Air line together with the King Air Model 90 and 100 series.
The Spectrum S-40 Freedom was a business jet developed by Spectrum Aeronautical. The aircraft was first announced at the 2006 NBAA Conference in Orlando, Florida.
The Cessna Citation III is an American business jet produced by Cessna and part of the Citation family. Announced at the October 1976 NBAA convention, the Model 650 made its maiden flight on May 30, 1979, received its type certification on April 30, 1982 and was delivered between 1983 and 1992. The cheaper Citation VI was produced from 1991 to 1995 and the more powerful Citation VII was offered between 1992 and 2000; 360 of all variants were delivered, while a proposed transcontinental variant, the Citation IV, was canceled before reaching the prototype stage. An all new design, the Citation III had a 312 sq ft swept wing for a 22,000 lb MTOW and a 2,350 nmi (4,350 km) range, a T-tail and two 3,650–4,080 lbf (16.2–18.1 kN) TFE731 turbofans. Its fuselage cross section and cockpit were kept in the later Citation X, Citation Excel and Citation Sovereign.
The Gulfstream G650 is a large business jet produced by Gulfstream Aerospace. The model is designated Gulfstream GVI in its type certificate, and may be configured to carry from 11 to 18 passengers. Gulfstream began the G650 program in 2005 and revealed it to the public in 2008. The G650 was formerly the company's largest and fastest business jet with a top speed of Mach 0.925, having been surpassed by the larger G700.
The Gulfstream G400, G500, and G600 (GVII) are twin-engine business jets designed and produced by Gulfstream Aerospace. The aircraft are designated Gulfstream GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 in their type certificate.
The Honeywell HTF7000 is a turbofan engine produced by Honeywell Aerospace. Rated in the 6,540–7,624 lbf (29.09–33.91 kN) range, the HTF7000 is used on the Bombardier Challenger 300/350, Gulfstream G280, Embraer Legacy 500/450 and the Cessna Citation Longitude. Its architecture could be extended for a range of 8,000 to 10,000 lbf thrust.
The Cessna Citation Sovereign is an American business jet developed by Cessna, part of the Cessna Citation family. Announced at the 1998 NBAA convention, the Model 680 made its maiden flight in February 2002, certification was awarded on June 2, 2004, and deliveries began in late September. The Citation Excel fuselage was stretched and joined with an all-new, larger wing and more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines for increased maximum takeoff weight and a 3,200 nmi (5,900 km) range. The improved Sovereign+ was announced at the October 2012 NBAA for a first flight in April 2013 and deliveries in December, with added winglets and an improved flight deck and engines.
The Gulfstream G280 is a twin-engine business jet built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for Gulfstream Aerospace. It began delivery to users in 2012.
Kenneth C. "Kenn" Ricci is an American aviation entrepreneur, the principal of Directional Aviation Capital, which owns or invests in various aviation enterprises including Flight Options and Flexjet, which he also serves as chairman. He is an operating partner at Resilience Capital Partners, a private equity firm with a wide variety of portfolio companies, including an investment in Flight Options, and has helped found or lead other companies, including Nextant Aerospace and Constant Aviation.
The Cessna Citation Longitude is a business jet produced by Cessna, part of the Cessna Citation family. Announced at the May 2012 EBACE, the Model 700 made its first flight on October 8, 2016, with certification obtained in September 2019. The aluminum airframe has the fuselage cross-section of the Citation Latitude, stretched by a seat row. Powered by Honeywell HTF7000 turbofans, it has a new ~28° swept wing and a T-tail for a 3,500 nmi (6,500 km) range.
The Cessna Citation Latitude is a business jet built by Cessna. The Model 680A was announced at the 2011 NBAA convention, the prototype first flew on 18 February 2014, it achieved FAA certification on June 5, 2015, and first deliveries began on August 27. It retains the Model 680 Sovereign wing, twin P&WC PW306D turbofans and cruciform tail and adds a new stand-up circular fuselage with a flat floor, which was kept in the stretched, re-winged, and re-engined Cessna Citation Longitude.