Nextant Aerospace

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.[2]

Nextant 400XT Aircraft

Nextant 400XT on a Tarmac.
Nextant 400XT Exterior.

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.[3]

The 400XT is equipped with 3,050-pound-thrust Williams FJ44-3AP Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC) turbofan engines[4] 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.[5]

The aircraft offers options such as several alternative seating configurations, a Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system, entertainment equipment, LED lighting[6] and Internet and satellite phone access.[7]

The remanufacturing process results in an aircraft with 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.[8] Compared to the Beechcraft 400A, the upgrade increases range by 50 percent, improves fuel efficiency by 32 percent,[9] reduces climb times by one-third and reduces operating costs by 29 percent.[10] Noise compliance exceeds Stage IV requirements.[11]

The 400XT made its first test flight in March 2010.[12] Receipt of final certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was announced in October 2011.[13] Deliveries of the Nextant 400XT began that same month, with initial deliveries of a 40-aircraft,[14] $150 million order to private aviation company Flight Options LLC.[15]

Remanufacturing Process

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.[16]

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.,[17][18] Consequently, the 400XT is considered to be a new type in the Aircraft Bluebook.[19]

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 Augsburg, Germany.[20][21]

Nextant Management

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.[22] Ricci also serves as chairman of Flight Options, LLC, the second-largest private aviation company in the U.S.[23]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nextant Aerospace.

References

  1. ↑ The Economist, “Business Jets for an Austere Age,” October 5, 2011 .
  2. ↑ The Economist, “Business Jets for an Austere Age,” October 5, 2011 .
  3. ↑ JustLuxe, “Nextant 400XT | World’s First Fully Remanufactured Business Jet FAA-Certified,” October 6, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  4. ↑ Flying Magazine, “Beyond Beechjet,” by Robert Goyer, published: September 12, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  5. ↑ AOPA Pilot Magazine, “The NeXT Beechjet: New power, panel, and pylon remains for the ‘old’ Beechjet,” by Thomas A. Horne, October 2011, accessed February 7, 2012 .
  6. ↑ Business Jet Traveler, Nextant 400XT, June 2011, accessed January 30, 2012
  7. ↑ AIN Online, “Action Aviation Becomes Nextant 400XT Sales Agent,” November 14, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  8. ↑ Flight Global, “Nextant ready to deliver 400XT twinjets to Flight Options,” October 8, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  9. ↑ AOPA Pilot Magazine, “The NeXT Beechjet: New power, panel, and pylon remains for the ‘old’ Beechjet,” by Thomas A. Horne, October 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  10. ↑ Business Jet Traveler, Nextant 400XT, June 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  11. ↑ Nextant news release, “Nextant Aerospace Launches iPhone App for the Nextant 400XT,” issued December 8, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  12. ↑ Business Jet Traveler, Nextant 400XT, June 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  13. ↑ Crain’s Cleveland Business, “Nextant Aerospace receives FAA certification for its Nextant 400XT aircraft” October 5, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  14. ↑ Flight Global, “Nextant ready to deliver 400XT twinjets to Flight Options,” October 8, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  15. ↑ Business Jet Traveler, Nextant 400XT, June 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  16. ↑ Business Jet Traveler, Nextant 400XT, June 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  17. ↑ AVWeb, “Nextant 400XT: “New” At Half The Cost Of New,” by Russ Niles, October 11, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  18. ↑ Flight Global, “Nextant ready to deliver 400XT twinjets to Flight Options,” October 8, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  19. ↑ AIN Online, “Action Aviation Becomes Nextant 400XT Sales Agent,” November 14, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  20. ↑ Flight Global, “Nextant ready to deliver 400XT twinjets to Flight Options,” October 8, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  21. ↑ Crain’s Cleveland Business, “Nextant Aerospace to open first European service center” October 5, 2011, accessed January 30, 2012 .
  22. ↑ Kenneth Ricci biography, Resilience Capital Partners, accessed December 20, 2011 .
  23. ↑ AIN Online, “Flight Options Flying Higher,” February 16, 2012, accessed February 28, 2012 .


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