Northern Jet Sets Grand Rapids-Naples Speed Record

The Federation Aeronautique Internationale confirmed this week that Northern Jet Management set a speed record from its base in Grand Rapids, Mich., to Naples, Fla., in a Bombardier Learjet 45XR on April 10. The speed over the recognized course was 427.97 knots (492.5 mph).

Piloted by Northern Jet Management crewmembers Andy Heemstra and Steve Edmondson, the light jet burned 537 gallons of fuel during the flight. “This record-setting project was designed to highlight our ability to safely and efficiently transport our customers from the Midwest to Southern Florida in less than three hours,” said Heemstra. “In setting this record, we paid particular attention to operating the aircraft in a manner 100-percent consistent with how we would operate with customers aboard.”

Northern Jet Management CEO Chuck Cox noted, “Our team has been operating business aircraft for more than 99,000 consecutive hours without an incident involving damage to property or injury to people.”