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Four business jet OEMs are raising the stakes in the light jet market. One new jet—the HondaJet Echelon—is in development, and significant upgrades are happening to three well-established models: the Embraer Phenom 100EX, Pilatus PC-24, and Textron Aviation Citation CJ3 Gen2. Predecessors of these latter three light jets have sold well, but this is a market that likes new and shiny, and a lack of regular upgrades is a sure way to turn off potential buyers.
Remarkably, in this age of high inflation, Embraer has not only excised 190 pounds from the Phenom 100EX but has also added many features while maintaining the $4.995 million price tag. Owners who pay the bills will appreciate the EX cabin’s finer touches such as the upper tech panel inspired by Embraer's larger models, wider seats, and flush-to-the-wall tables. Pilots who have flown the latest Phenom 300E will see the same Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System, stabilized approach, and new radar features in the 100EX.
As announced in June, Honda Aircraft is proceeding with “commercialization” of its next model, unveiled as the Concept 2600 at NBAA-BACE 2021. Now named the HondaJet Echelon, the jet features midsize jet comfort, speed, and range but in a light jet airframe that can fly coast-to-coast in the U.S. nonstop.
Pilatus has sold out production of the PC-24 since it entered service in 2018, and the updated version will no doubt help the Swiss manufacturer maintain its momentum. Now available with a side-facing divan and a Lufthansa Technik Nice cabin management system, the PC-24’s range is 200 nm higher, up to 2,000 nm with six passengers. A new predictive maintenance system has also been added.
Textron Aviation’s Gen2 update of the CJ3 brings this jet in line with other Gen2s. It offers new features to the model’s owner-pilot and charter operator buyers, such as a fold-down side-facing seat in the front of the cabin and new swiveling options for the passenger seats. All seats have USB-C ports and wireless charging trays. Pilots will appreciate the new autothrottles integrated with the Garmin G3000 avionics and extra legroom in the flight deck.