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Aviation History
1970
1970 - 0072.PDF
FLIGHT International. 8 January 1970 Mercure s All the people crowding at the last Paris Air-Show to visit MERCURE are potential users. Their opinion is very important. This is why after the show was over, Avions Marcel Dassaut had the full size mock-up taken to an exhibition hall open to the public so as to be able to gauge the reactions of tomorrow's passengers. Observations and questions reveal at the public's level concerns that are essential to professionnals. How is MERCURE different from the jets now existing or under study ? MERCURE is the first jet in the world to be specifically designed for short stages of up to 950 miles. A fast (575 mph), light (109,000 lb) twinjet with a high passenger capacity (134/155 seats), Mercure is the answer to the main and most urgent problem of the air transport development: that of short-haul traffic. But one already uses jets on short stages. Yes but they are not adapted to this kind of traffic. It is an economic nonsense to operate short-haul networks with jets having a range of T600 miles. But as a passenger how shall I benefit? Tomorrow taking the MERCURE will be as common as taking a car or a train is today. Having an airplane that is perfectly adapted to short stages, the airlines will be able to open new routes and develop considerably the existing ones as far as schedules, frequency of flight and comfort on board are concerned. Avions Marcel Dassault? Are they not the ones building the Mirage G? Is MERCURE a sweep- wing aircraft? No-but its wings have been designed according 10 advanced aerodynamics concepts. That is one of the points making Mercure a highly sophisticated aircraft: one can say that Mercure establishes the fourth generation of transport aircraft. It is not by chance that the manufacturer is Avions Marcel Dassault. When you are a recognized leader in theoretical aerodynamics and structural design, when you have mastered Mach 2,5 and variable geometry everything becomes simpler. I heard about the FAN-JET FALCON: is Mercure just the big brother? No the FAN-JET FALCON is a business jet. However, the experience acquired by Avions Marcel Dassault with this airplane designed to meet the most demanding requirements has been, of course, most valuable for the MERCURE at all levels: design, maintenance, after sales service, pratical speci fication and comfort. Inside the MERCURE, you have the feeling of traveling first class. Is the actual version going to be really that way? Certainly, the most striking feature of MERCURE is roominess. The layout you see here is the one seating 134, with a 34" seat pitch. MERCURE having a very low operating cost, crowding is not necessary to make it profitable. How is it that some windows have a bluish hue? They are the ones whose light attenuating polarizers are turned on. One detail that shows up to what point MERCURE was designed for the ultimate in comfort. We should also talk about air-conditioning, pressurization, and sound proofing. An entirely new micro-cellular sonic insulation system keeps the cabin at an astonishingly low sound level. The jet engines are equipped with specially designed noise-reducing devices, allowing all kinds of urban zone approach while saving city dwellers nerves and sleep. The public misses however many points that make MERCURE a superior aircraft. Seat-mile cost improvement of 15 %. 6 600 lbs of cargo in addition to 134 passengers' baggage; High Vmo (380 kt EAS) ; Category III landings; Very short turnaround time making MERCURE a true shuttle aircraft. MERCURE IS THE FIRST JET TO CRACK THE PROFIT BARRIER ON SHORT STAGES- First flight early 1971; in actual service early 1973.
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