Flexjet Getting Legacy 500s & 450s - AIN
08-18-2015, 12:15 PM
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Flexjet Getting Legacy 500s & 450s - AIN
Wow - Flexjet is going to have a very formidable fleet of airplanes for its customers (and pilots) and it seems to have been confirmed by Aviation International News. I have been asking and hearing rumors in the marketplace, but I just received this email blurb and it seems to confirm that the big Lear 85 order will be replaced by an order for Legacy 500s & 450s. That is a great choice IMHO. This could be a big shot in the arm for the Legacy 500/450 program. It also mentions that Flexjet will be accelerating some G450 deliveries due to increased demand - that is great news too.
Not sure how this benefits the pilots on the Flight Options side of the table (I realize it is a divide and conquer union issue as well - the growth goes with the non-union side of the table) since they seem to be focused on the Phenom 300, Beechjet 400XT, Citation X and the older Legacy 600. Let's hope the new airplanes come with a better pay scale for both Flexjet and Flight Options pilots - nice, new airplanes are great, but they don't pay the bills....
Here is the AIN blurb below:
Under an accelerated delivery plan in response to “heavy market demand,” fractional provider Flexjet will place six Gulfstream G450s into service by year-end. Flexjet placed an order for up to 50 Gulfstreams last October, which includes the G450, G650 and the new G500, for which Flexjet “will be the North American launch customer and exclusive fractional provider,” according to the company.
“Since we took delivery of our first Gulfstream G450 in June, the response to these new long-range aircraft has been so robust that we have asked Gulfstream to move up delivery of our next two G450s to this fall, rather than mid-2016, as previously agreed to,” said Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro. “Our sales for the year are up 20 percent and the marketplace clearly is hungry for extended-range products from Gulfstream.”
Flexjet’s first G650 is slated for delivery early next year, and the first G500 is expected in 2018. The company’s Gulfstreams, Learjet 75s, Challenger 350s, Global Expresses and Legacy 450 and 500s are or will be equipped with Flexjet’s customized LXI Cabin Collection configuration. “In the fractional jet industry, you hear a lot about orders for new airplanes being delayed or cancelled, not accelerated,” said Flexjet chairman Kenn Ricci. “Not only have we had strong demand for the Gulfstream G450, but we also are seeing tremendous enthusiasm for the G650.”
Not sure how this benefits the pilots on the Flight Options side of the table (I realize it is a divide and conquer union issue as well - the growth goes with the non-union side of the table) since they seem to be focused on the Phenom 300, Beechjet 400XT, Citation X and the older Legacy 600. Let's hope the new airplanes come with a better pay scale for both Flexjet and Flight Options pilots - nice, new airplanes are great, but they don't pay the bills....
Here is the AIN blurb below:
Under an accelerated delivery plan in response to “heavy market demand,” fractional provider Flexjet will place six Gulfstream G450s into service by year-end. Flexjet placed an order for up to 50 Gulfstreams last October, which includes the G450, G650 and the new G500, for which Flexjet “will be the North American launch customer and exclusive fractional provider,” according to the company.
“Since we took delivery of our first Gulfstream G450 in June, the response to these new long-range aircraft has been so robust that we have asked Gulfstream to move up delivery of our next two G450s to this fall, rather than mid-2016, as previously agreed to,” said Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro. “Our sales for the year are up 20 percent and the marketplace clearly is hungry for extended-range products from Gulfstream.”
Flexjet’s first G650 is slated for delivery early next year, and the first G500 is expected in 2018. The company’s Gulfstreams, Learjet 75s, Challenger 350s, Global Expresses and Legacy 450 and 500s are or will be equipped with Flexjet’s customized LXI Cabin Collection configuration. “In the fractional jet industry, you hear a lot about orders for new airplanes being delayed or cancelled, not accelerated,” said Flexjet chairman Kenn Ricci. “Not only have we had strong demand for the Gulfstream G450, but we also are seeing tremendous enthusiasm for the G650.”
08-18-2015, 12:37 PM
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For those who are not familiar with the Legacy 500 & 450:
http://www.embraerexecutivejets.com/.../overview.aspx
an excellent video review of the FBW in use:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h173fjWatJc
and a good comparison against other aircraft in its category:
http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/je...0-versus-world
This thing is A LOT more advanced than the Challenger 300/350 with the FBW/side sticks, etc. and it will be interesting to see how Flexjet positions the Legacy 500 against the Challenger 300/350 since it will market both to customers. The Legacy 500 is something like $6-8 million cheaper than the Challenger 350 and it is far more advanced.
http://www.embraerexecutivejets.com/.../overview.aspx
an excellent video review of the FBW in use:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h173fjWatJc
and a good comparison against other aircraft in its category:
http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/je...0-versus-world
This thing is A LOT more advanced than the Challenger 300/350 with the FBW/side sticks, etc. and it will be interesting to see how Flexjet positions the Legacy 500 against the Challenger 300/350 since it will market both to customers. The Legacy 500 is something like $6-8 million cheaper than the Challenger 350 and it is far more advanced.
Last edited by Fetzervalve; 08-18-2015 at 01:16 PM.
08-20-2015, 10:01 AM
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Another blurb from a Flexjet press release confirming the upcoming Legacy 500s in September:
(excerpt from the press release):
The company’s Gulfstreams, Learjet 75s, Challenger 350s, Global Expresses and Legacy 450s and 500s are or will be equipped with Flexjet’s customized LXI Cabin Collection configuration.
The first Embraer Legacy 500 delivery is scheduled for September, and Flexjet will take five this year. Legacy 450 deliveries begin in June 2016. “We’re excited about [the Legacy 500],” he said. “It really rounds out our fleet, and I can’t wait to get it in the program.”
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-ne...450-deliveries
(excerpt from the press release):
The company’s Gulfstreams, Learjet 75s, Challenger 350s, Global Expresses and Legacy 450s and 500s are or will be equipped with Flexjet’s customized LXI Cabin Collection configuration.
The first Embraer Legacy 500 delivery is scheduled for September, and Flexjet will take five this year. Legacy 450 deliveries begin in June 2016. “We’re excited about [the Legacy 500],” he said. “It really rounds out our fleet, and I can’t wait to get it in the program.”
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-ne...450-deliveries
09-22-2015, 12:42 PM
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Another recent vague AIN blurb said pilots are currently getting their types on the Legacy 500. Which pilots are getting trained - Flexjet pilots or Fight Options pilots (or a mixture)? How are they selected? Any details?????
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