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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 2098.PDF
Learjet announces new models Learjet's turbulent life is far from over. After the plunging demand for business aircraft and the swollen inventories of both new and used machines, the company closed down its production lines a year ago. Now, under new ownership and with a new cash infusion, it fields two new Learjet models and is to resume pro duction. At NBAA, Learjet an nounced its first new models in five years: the 55C and the 31, to be developed and manu factured alongside the Models 35 and 36. Both new aircraft sport so- called "delta fins", an inverted V-tail mounted on the tail- cone. The 9ft 3in-long aluminium and composite fins produce vortex lift and increased control and direc tional stability, mainly at high angles of attack and low speeds, to provide a nose- down pitching moment as the aircraft approaches the stall. The eight-passenger Model 31 is designed to FAR Part 25 as an entry-level business jet. Powered by two 7,0001b- thrust Garrett TFE731-2 turbofans, the aircraft has an extended range of 1,850 n.m. Balanced field length is less than 3,000ft, and typical cruise speed is 447kt at 49,000ft. Model 31 FAA certification is expected in time for first deliveries in mid-1988. Price is $2,995,000 for the first year. 20 The $6,150,000 Model 55C, with stand-up cabin for eight passengers, has 7,4001b-thrust TFE731-3s. Balanced field length takeoff is almost 5,000ft, and it cruises at up to 461kt. Maximum range is 2,549 n.m. Fairchild launches Metro IV and V Tom Smith is a happy man. The Fairchild Aircraft presi dent has successfully pro posed to parent company Fairchild Industries a deal under which senior managers and outside investors will buy the company. Announcing two new models of the commuter/ corporate Metro series, Smith says that the company sale should be complete by this week, when he will be cele brating his silver wedding anniversary cruising with his wife in the Caribbean. Fairchild Aircraft expects to spend upwards of $5 mil lion a year over the next three or four years—a modest level of investment in improvement and development, according to Smith. The two new Metro models are the IV, a reworked III to FAR Part 23 commuter cate gory standards and powered by Garrett TPE331-12 engines, and the V, which is to be a T-tailed IV with a deeper (69in-headroom) cabin, im proved flaps, and new ailerons. (The faster Metro VI, which Fairchild Aircraft discussed at the Paris Show and to which the V could have been a stepping stone, is now on the back-burner. The market displayed insufficient interest to justify the devel opment expenditure needed.) Smith expects the V price tag to be less than $4 million, but more than the Metro Ill's $3-2 million. Certification of the Metro IV is planned for late 1988, with the Metro V programme being completed before 1991. Clockwise from left Learjet has introduced "delta fins "on the new Model 31 and Model 55C. Cessna's Citation V has a longer cabin with seven windows each side. Beech has introduced five-blade pro pellers on the Starship. The Fair- child Metro V will have a taller "stand-up" cabin section and a T- tail Fairchild Aircraft has been for sale for two years; six months ago it almost became part of the Aeritalia group before that arrangement was aborted. Senior managers have got together with GMF Investments, a unit of Los Angeles-based Gene Morgan Financial. Part of the acquisi tion cost has been provided by North American Ventures (Navi), which bought Butler Aviation a year ago. Navi chairman Edward Kopko is brother of Frederick Kopko, a member of the GMF board. Smith tells Flight that in two months Fairchild Aircraft has come from being in poor financial health for four years to having finances and being able to make its own investment decisions. Most revenue comes from Texas National Airlines, the troubled carrier which Fair- child bought a year ago. Charter business is booming, and services will be extended to additional points in Texas and Mexico. SAT-AIR, its cargo airline formed to operate Metro Expediters, will offer services to other cargo carriers, and Fairchild's modification facil ity in Florida will expand its Government business. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 17 October 1987
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