OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Pan-European low-cost air taxi start-up JetBird has begun exercising its options for the Embraer Phenom 100 very light jet as it set out its plans to operate a 100-strong fleet by 2013. Dublin-based JetBird - Embraer's European launch customer and its largest fleet customer in the region - placed 50 firm orders and 50 options for the Phenom 100 two years ago. JetBird has the ability to upgrade to the larger Phenom 300 light jets if required. Three Phenom 100 options have been converted to date, says JetBird, adding that it plans to start operations in April next year.
ADDED CHALLENGER
UK charter and management company London Executive Aviation has added a second Bombardier Challenger 300 super mid-size business jet to its growing fleet. The first Challenger 300, which fills a niche in the LEA fleet between the super-light Citation Excel and large-cabin Embraer Legacy 600, has flown 650h in just over a year.
GROB EXPANSION
Grob Aerospace has expanded its US service centre offering for operators of its light aircraft and gliders through the appointment of Composite Aircraft Repair of Moriarty, New Mexico. The German airframer says more than 300 Grob types are operating in the USA and the brand is getting more exposure following the introduction of the Spn light business jet, scheduled for certification early next year. "This is the first service centre for the G115 single-engine trainer, G102 and G103 series gliders and the G109 motor glider, which was the first composite motor glider in the world to clinch US certification," says Grob.
Source: Flight International
