When rumors arose last week that Aerion Corp. has a supersonic business jet in the works, AVweb tried to track it down. The company is listed as a member at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Web site, under the Aerospace Design and Engineering category, based in Reno, Nev., and is headed by Brian Barents, the former CEO of Learjet and Galaxy Aerospace. A call to Aerion last week was referred to spokesman Jeff Miller, head of an independent PR company. Miller invited us to attend a press conference at NBAA’s upcoming annual meeting in Las Vegas, Oct. 12-14, but declined to divulge or confirm any other information about the company or its plans until then. As CEO at Galaxy, Barents negotiated a joint venture with the Pritzker Organization and Israel Aircraft Industries to market their business aircraft, and later negotiated the sale of Galaxy to Gulfstream Aerospace (General Dynamics). At Learjet, he negotiated the sale of Learjet to Bombardier and remained as the company’s CEO until 1996.
A Supersonic Business Jet?
Key Takeaways:
- Aerion Corp. is rumored to be developing a supersonic business jet, with official details to be released at an upcoming NBAA annual meeting press conference.
- The company, an NBAA member in Aerospace Design and Engineering based in Reno, Nevada, is headed by veteran aviation executive Brian Barents.
- Brian Barents has a distinguished career, including serving as former CEO of Learjet and Galaxy Aerospace, where he oversaw major sales and joint ventures.
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