Aerion has added to its list of launch customers for the upcoming AS2 supersonic business jet. Set Jet, a membership-based private jet charter flight programme, will incorporate the AS2 into its expansion plans to offer faster point-to-point luxury travel.
Adding to a growing global customer network, this new order further extends Aerion’s order backlog for the AS2 ahead of manufacturing commencing at Aerion Park in 2023.
“As a jet pilot with over 10,000 hours of flight time, I was of course very intrigued by the Aerion AS2 and the ability to provide our five-star luxury travel experience to our members at a speed greater than the speed of sound,” said Tom Smith, CEO at Set Jet. “As a company, Set Jet is excited to work with Aerion, an industry leader in the category, and be the first to provide environmentally responsible supersonic private jet service between Los Angeles and Hawaii, as well as New York and London, with approximately three- and four-hour flight times respectively.”
“We are delighted to welcome Set Jet as a new Aerion customer at this exciting and formative time for our company,” said Matt Cram, chief commercial officer and executive vice president of sales and marketing. “This significant commitment to Aerion and the AS2 reflects Set Jet’s priority as a leading private jet service provider and their unwavering commitment to providing their members with luxury travel that is optimised for speed while respecting the environment. We are encouraged by the continued growth in the global customer base for the AS2 and look forward to delivering a sustainable supersonic future.”
Aerion’s pursuit of faster point-to-point travel begins with the launch of the AS2 supersonic business jet. Designed to be inherently environmentally responsible from first flight, the AS2 is a supersonic aircraft designed to be powered by 100% engineered synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner.
The manufacture of 300 AS2 aircraft is planned for the first decade of production. The AS2 will be the first aircraft to be assembled at the company’s new global headquarters in Melbourne, Florida – Aerion Park. The development – powered by sustainable technology – will incorporate headquarters operations plus an integrated campus for research, design, build and maintenance of the company’s aircraft.
In other news, Aerion has recruited Sean McGeough as vice president of sales. A well-known name in the private aviation community, McGeough brings more than 20 years of industry experience. He has held senior sales and general management positions at companies including Hawker-Beechcraft, Nextant Aerospace, and most recently, Wheels Up, where he was the executive vice president of corporate sales.
“Sean is an incredibly well-respected sales leader with an in-depth knowledge of our industry and the expectations of our customers,” said Cram. “We are excited to welcome him to the team and have him represent Aerion in delivering exceptional service to our international customer base as we bring the AS2 to market.”
McGeough holds a Master’s degree in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology, where he wrote a thesis on supersonic business travel. He is an airline transport pilot (ATP) with type ratings on Hawker 400XP, Hawker 800XP and Beechcraft King Air types.
Aerion has a growing employee base encompassing core sites in Reno, Nevada – the current headquarters; an Aerion Technologies division in Palo Alto, California; and its new facility in Melbourne.
Image: Aerion Corporation
