Nextant 400XTi Performs Flawlessly in Special Mission Role as Air Ambulance in South Pacific

• Nextant light jet hailed as life saver by New Zealand’s busiest aeromedical service
• Rugged, reliable performance in challenging region
• Cost, range, speed and cabin environment key factors
• Economical choice for aging special missions fleets worldwide

CLEVELAND, OHIO, May 18, 2015 – Nextant Aerospace (a Directional Aviation Capital company), which makes the award-winning 400XTi – the world’s only remanufactured business jet – and is currently flight-testing its new G90XT turboprop, today reported on the success of its light jet in the air ambulance role.

Skyline Aviation of Napier, New Zealand, took delivery of a 400XTi in January of 2015, with a quick-change air ambulance configuration. Immediately put to work on emergency duties all over New Zealand as well as Australia and many remote Pacific islands, the 400XTi quickly proved the perfect choice.

“The 400XTi has been magnificent,” said Skyline Aviation Founder and MD Mike Toogood. “We operate in some of the toughest conditions in the world, including long overwater legs to challenging runways on small islands. It’s literally a life-or-death business, and people trust us to turn up without fail. The 400XTi gives us that reliability plus the range, speed and cabin size to do the job - better even than some bigger and more expensive alternatives. Our fleet acquisition policy is based strictly on the safety, reliability and the numbers, and the Nextant’s exceptional performance and operating costs have fully justified our choice of jet equipment.”

Jay Heublein, Nextant’s Executive Vice President Global sales and Marketing, says the 400XTi’s versatility makes aeromedical just one of a range of special mission, task-specific fits now available. Heublein explains, “Because it combines the latest technology with a proven airframe and unbeatable economics, the 400XTi is the ideal replacement for old-generation special-missions platforms. Our global fleet of aircraft is rapidly approaching the 50,000 flight hour milestone, and many of our customers who operate in a commercial environment are able to generate over 800 hours per year of utilization, which is not common in the light jet category. With an average global AOG response time of 9.2 hours and nearly 30 service centers worldwide, Nextant support is always there when our customers need it.”

About Nextant Aerospace

Nextant’s pioneering process for remanufacturing business jets is now recognized as an established technical and commercial success worldwide with significant sales in every major operator category and class-leading levels of comfort, performance and reliability – all at a purchase price half that of comparable aircraft. The revolutionary 400XTi light jet features Williams FJ44-3AP engines and the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ integrated flight deck. The same winning combination will soon be available in the Nextant G90XT turboprop powered by next-generation GE H75-100 engines and introducing an enhanced Garmin G1000 integrated flight deck. Founded in 2007, Nextant is a Directional Aviation company based in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @nextantaero or join us on LinkedIn.

About Directional Aviation Capital

Directional Aviation Capital is a private investment firm whose singular focus is private business aviation. Combining strategic aviation ownership, unmatched experience and revolutionary vision, Directional continues to innovate and reshape private aviation. Directional’s unique industry expertise enables them to quickly understand business aviation companies and provide the financing and operational strategy needed to take advantage of evolving market opportunities. For more information, visit www.directionalaviation.com.

About Skyline Aviation

Transporting more than 2,500 patients per year, Skyline Aviation is New Zealand’s busiest aeromedical service provider. With 20 years’ experience of both air ambulance and general charter operations, its modern fleet of jet and turboprop aircraft and helicopters covers destinations throughout New Zealand and beyond. Operating from state-of-the-art facilities at Hawke’s Bay airport, Skyline is a locally-owned family business committed to the highest standards of safety and service. It also operates the New Zealand Air Ambulance Service (NZAAS), based in Auckland.

http://www.skylineaviation.co.nz Tel +64 6 835 4922

Media contacts

Aimee Dalton, Marketing Manager +1 216 543 8985 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.