Business Aviation news in brief

XLS+ Rolled Out

Cessna has rolled out the first production version of its Citation XLS+ super-light business jet, the new derivative of its best selling Citation XLS. The production model, which features Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics and two FADEC-controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada 545C engines, is now having its paint and interior completed, while two flight-test aircraft continue type certification testing in preparation for an expected mid-year completion. Cessna expects to begin delivering the $11.6 million, nine-passenger aircraft by year's end. The Excel/XLS fleet, first produced in 1998, now comprises nearly 650 aircraft with an accumulated flight time of more than 1.4 million hours, says Cessna.


© Cessna

Conversion Contract

Germany's 328 Support Services has secured a VIP conversion contract for a Dornier 328 with Cirrus Group, parent of fellow German company Cirrus Airlines. The work will begin at 328 Support's Oberpfaffenhofen base in May to transform the 32-seat passenger configured airliner into a 12-seat VIP executive jet equipped with a new large galley, individual TV monitors on all VIP seats, on-board satellite phone and a large toilet area with a dressing room. Delivery is scheduled in late August.

Registry Landmark

The Isle of Man Aircraft Registry has signed up more than 50 private aircraft since its launch 12 months ago. The self-governing UK crown dependency says its target aircraft are professionally flown new corporate jets for international blue-chip companies. "Unlike most other registries, where both private and commercially operated aircraft are accepted, the Isle of Man's register is focused solely on private and corporate aircraft," it says.

Flexjet Fleet

Bombardier Flexjet has introduced the Challenger 605 business jet into its fractional ownership fleet. The large-cabin aircraft is one of 24 new aircraft due to enter service with Flexjet this year, including the super-midsize Challenger 300 and mid-size Learjet 60XR. They will replace a number of aircraft in service with the Dallas, US-based operator, which has an average fleet age of 3.4 years.