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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 3117.PDF
NBAM SHOW REPORT Improved range for the Global Express will put pressure on Gulfstream Global-range stakes increase BOMBARDIER HAS in creased the range of its Global Express business jet by 370km (200nm),to 12,400kmatMach0.8, following initial flight-testing of the first aircraft. The move increas es pressure on Gulfstream, which admits that its rival, the GV, while slightly exceeding its 12,000km range guarantee, is overweight and that the programme is running behind schedule. John Holding, Bombardier Aerospace executive vice-presi dent, engineering and product development, says that the Global Express range was increased after accurately measuring the wing- tank fuel volume in the first air craft. This confirmed that the fuel required for the 12,000km design mission could be housed entirely within the wing, he says, allowing an aft-fuselage tank added during design to be used for additional fuel to extend range. Weight and drag measurements on the first aircraft confirm predic tions, and, coupled with the better- than-predicted specific fuel-con sumption (SFC) of the BMW Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofans, makes Bombardier "very comfort able" that it will meet or exceed performance guarantees for the Global Express, Holding says. The additional fuel will allow the 12,000km design mission to be accomplished atM0.85, instead of the original M0.8. To accommodate the increased range, Bombardier will certificate the Global Express at a maximum take-off weight of 42,500kg, an increase of 1,150kg. The structure and landing gear are already de signed to cope with the higher weight, he says. Take-off distance ona 12,400km flight will be 1,700m (5,500ft) compared with 1,500m for the 12,400km design mission. Bombardier displayed the Glo bal Express at the NBAA show, after accumulating some 40h flying in 16 flights of the first aircraft. Gulfstream, meanwhile, displayed the fifth GV— the first with a com pleted interior. The company has completed more than 930h of a planned l,200h flight-test pro gramme, and is aiming for certifi cation by the end of this year — later than planned. Gulfstream Aircraft president Bill Boisture admits that initial cus tomer deliveries will be 30-60 days behind schedule, but he hopes to be back on plan by mid-1997, after delivery of ten to 20 aircraft. Reasons for the delay include the need to rework early wings after analysis revealed a weak spot. Risk- sharing wing supplier Northrop Grumman is reinforcing stringers on the upper surface, adding 30- 3 5kg to aircraft weight. To accommodate this and other weight increases, Gulfstream has increased the maximum take-off weight at which the aircraft will be certificated to 41,100kg, from 40,400kg. The company says that the GV will still exceed its 12,000km-range goal at this weight, because of the aircraft's design mar gins, the BR710 engines' better- than-guaranteed SFC and a 135kg increase in fuel capacity. Gulfstream says that the GV's cruise speed, specific range and take-off and landing distanc.es are bettering guarantees. Bare empty weight is worse than the guarantee by about 680kg, but the company says that efforts are under way to reduce the weight of the airframe and powerplant. Gulfstream has flown the first production GVand plans to deliv er the aircraft to the completion, centre by the end of 1996. The company says that it holds 70 firm orders for the aircraft, while Bombardier says that it has "close to 60" orders for the Global Express, which is scheduled for certification in May 1998. Gulfstream says that it plans to double its production rate to 60 GIV-SPs and GVs a year by 1999, to meet demand. • New part-share scheme is set up ANEW BUSINESS-JET fractional-ownership pro gramme has been launched to meet demand for what the founders describe as "the future of corporate aviation". Prime Fleet is a joint venture between US bank- owned leasing company Fleet Capital Leasing and Prime Airborne, an aircraft management and charter firm. Initially, the New York-based company will offer one-quarter and larger shares in the two Gulfstreams and one Dassault Fal con 50 owned by Prime Airborne. Over the next 12 months, Prime Fleet intends to acquire around 15 aircraft, the majority of which are expected to be pre-owned. The venture says that it does not know what types it will purchase until it knows the travel requirements of individual customers, but expects them to be medium- and large-size business jets. "Fractional ownership is one of the most exciting things going on in corporate aviation today. It is simple and it works because it com bines the advantages of charter with ownership without flopping over the the disadvantages," says Prime Fleet executive vice-presi dent Ronald Standerfer. "We are the first major player in this field that is not aligned with any manufacturer, and we are the first that is aligned with a financial institution," he says. The company will offer customers the options of purchasing fractional shares out right, leasing them or having them financed. • NEWS IN BRIEF • ROCKWELL RENAISSANCE Twin Commander Aircraft has extended its Grand Re naissance refurbishment pro gramme to include piston- powered versions of the Rockwell-built aircraft, be ginning with the Shrike 500S. Eight 690A/B/C Twin Com mander turbine-powered aircraft have already been scheduled for restoration. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 27 November - 3 December 1996 9
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