Nextant Aerospace

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]

An upgraded version of the aircraft, the Nextant 400XTi, was introduced in 2014. It now competes with an official modification called Hawker 400XPR, produced by Textron in collaboration with Sierra Industries.

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]

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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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