Page 44 - World Airnews Magazine April 2021

SUPERSONIC

20 SUPERSONIC BUSINESS

JETS IN THE MAKING

ator for Aerion Connect is a thrilling next manufacturing start after concluding wind

step," said Adam Johnson, chairman and tunnel validation late last year.

upersonic aircraft company Aerion CEO of NetJets Inc. With more than 760 aircraft worldwide,

Shas forged an expansive collab- "Together, we will explore the integration 385 of which were delivered in the past

oration with NetJets, a private aviation of the AS2 supersonic business jet into Net- 11 years, the Net Jets, Aerion partnership

company, and Flight Safety International, Jets' global network, and we are honoured comes on the heels of NetJets' launched

an aviation training company, to shape the to be their chosen partner to enable the Global Sustainability Programme – aimed
future of global mobility. Aerion Connect Vision." at reducing the environmental footprint of
the company.

"At Aerion our vision is to build a future In collaboration with FlightSafety Inter-

where humanity can travel between any national, an aviation training company, Aerion and NetJets share a commitment

two points on our planet within three Aerion will also develop a supersonic to usher in a new era of sustainable flight
that is kind to the planet and part of the

hours and this new partnership is a signif- flight training academy for civil, commer-

icant step towards realising that vision," cial, and military supersonic aircraft. The solution to reverse climate change.
said Aerion's Chairman, president and CEO, Aerion-branded facility will channel FSI's As part of this agreement the two com-

Tom Vice. comprehensive global training expertise panies will also work together on domestic

"Our strategy is to connect the very best to provide a centre of excellence for and international actions intended to

partners in the world within a new mo- supersonic flight training and education, facilitate the global availability and broad

bility ecosystem optimised for speed and shaping the flight crews of the future. adoption of synthetic aviation fuels.
founded on sustainability. In NetJets and "We're excited to bring FSI's signature Aerion's pursuit of faster point-to-point
FlightSafety International we have two such passion for safety to Aerion's training acad- travel begins with the launch of the AS2

partners; both globally recognised leaders emy," said Brad Thress, CEO of FlightSafety supersonic business jet.

in their fields who share our passion for a International. Designed to be inherently environmen-

new era of mobility that is both fast and at "This partnership marries Aerion's inno- tally responsible from first flight, the AS2

the same time kind to our planet." vation and our long-established experi- is the first supersonic aircraft designed to

NetJets, an owner and operator of a ence, opening up new opportunities in the be powered by 100% engineered synthetic

diverse private jet fleet, and Aerion will supersonic aircraft space and the future of fuel and reach supersonic speeds without

explore NetJets' becoming the exclusive the industry as a whole." the need for an afterburner.

business jet operators for the global mobili- Underlining the long-term focus of the The manufacture of 300 AS2 aircraft is

ty platform, Aerion Connect partnership, NetJets has also obtained planned for the first decade of production.

A vision for a future global mobility purchase rights for 20 AS2 supersonic busi- The AS2 will be the first aircraft assem-

ecosystem, Aerion Connect will integrate ness jets, which start production at Aerion bled at the company's new global head-

multiple, currently siloed urban and Park in Melbourne, Florida in 2023. With quarters in Melbourne, Florida-Aerion

regional networks and provide a seamless significant growth achieved through 2020 Park. The state-of-the-art development

point-to-point travel experience, optimised and 2021, Aerion's global order backlog for - powered by sustainable technology - will

for speed and luxury across multiple modes the AS2 is now valued at more than (US) incorporate headquarter operations plus

of transportation. $10 billion. an integrated campus for research, design,

"As a leader in private aviation, we are The new AS2 - the first supersonic aircraft build, and maintenance of the company's

constantly looking for ways to be on the to enter commercial service in 51 years supersonic aircraft. Q

cutting-edge, and expanding our fleet. To and the world's first supersonic business

become the exclusive business jet oper- aircraft - continues to advance toward Article courtesy: https://www.globalair.com/
World Airnews | April 2021
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