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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 2323.PDF
BUSINESS & GENERAL AVIATION BUSINESS AIRCRAFT KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON Regional variants get set for business Former Soviet manufacturers aim to offer disillusioned premium-class travellers flexibility, convenience and security Two aircraft manufacturers, one Ukranian and the other Russian, are planning to enter the business aircraft market for the first time with variants of regional airliners now under development. Ukraine-based Antonov and the Kharkov State Aircraft Manu facturing company (KSAMC), is touting a 10/12-seat version of its twin-engined, 60-seat An-74TK- 300, dubbed the ABJ. It has already received a letter of intent from Russian flag carrier Aeroflot for five aircraft that will be used to Norman Aviation International is soon to sign the first customer for its Nordic 8 Mini Explorer light util ity aircraft. The Canadian manufac turer plans to launch a European version next year. The aircraft will be available as a kit or assembled. The Quebec City-based com pany has developed the aircraft with North Pole explorer Hubert de Chevigny. The Mini Explorer is a two-seat, 60%-scale model of de Chevigny's Private Explorer "fly ing camper van", which is designed with two beds and camp ing equipment built in. The company is finalising a deal with a North Pole eco-tourism travel agency for the first two aircraft, says Lancair has lined up financing to increase production of its certifi cated light aircraft and catch up on backlogged deliveries, including those for two new models. The manufacturer has been turn ing out aircraft at a rate of only one a month and has faced mounting delays to the delivery of its new Columbia 350 and Columbia 400. Lancair had delivered just 56 air craft, all Columbia 300s. But it has transport premium class passengers. The deal is expected to be con verted into firm orders in October, with delivery to follow 11 months later, says KSAMC general director Pavlo Naumenko. "We are confident there is a mar ket [for the ABJ] in Russia as well as the Middle East, Eastern Europe and throughout Asia, [where interest in the aircraft has already been expressed by governments in the region]," Naumenko says. The air craft will be completed by interior design company InterAMI and will managing director Jacques Norman. Talks are under way with several potential customers for the C$34,500 ($22,800) kit. The Mini Explorer is a large ultralight, and uses lightweight sitka spruce in wing construction to keep weight down to 560kg (1,2351b). The European model is being modified with the French market in mind and has to satisfy regula tions limiting maximum take-off weight to 450kg (plus 5% if fitted with a ballistic recovery parachute). The Nordic 8 for Europe is likely to have a 60kW (82hp) Rotax 912UL in place of the 75kW Rotax 912S. This will reduce cruise speed from 78kt (145km/h) to 65kt. an outstanding order book of J 80 aircraft, including about 100 of the more powerful Columbia 400. Sales manager Mike Schrader says Lancair plans to increase its production rate to eight a month in December and 10 a month next year, pending the completion of the financing deal. Lancair has not disclosed who is providing the cash or the amount involved. Meanwhile it has stopped selling make its debut at next year's Paris air show. Russian manufacturer Tupolev is to offer a business aircraft variant of the 50-seat Tu-324 twinjet. Tupolev says it has looked "seri ously" at the business jet market for a couple years, prompted by government-led research into future demand for regional and business aircraft in Russia. Tupolev's head of powerplants Alexander Pemov says: "The Civil Aviation Institute predicts a market for around 200 business aircraft in the Columbia 300 in favour of the more advanced 350 and 400, but deliveries of the 350 will not begin until late this year. Certification delays have forced Lancair to postpone initial deliveries of the Columbia 400 from this summer until at least October. Schrader says three factors are contributing to the hold up: slow responses by the US Federal Avia tion Administration; a lack of fund- Russia over the next 15 years. Tupolev should be well positioned to carve its share of the market with the 8/10-seat Tu-324." The Tu-324 is due to enter airline service in 2005. Both manufacturers say the bur geoning demand for business air craft is driven by the increasing numbers of wealthy individuals and large corporations. Like their western counterparts, these groups have become disillusioned with air lines and are seeking the flexibility, convenience and security that busi ness aircraft can provide. ing and delays experienced by Teledyne Continental in certifying the full authority digital electronic control (FADEC)-equipped TSIO- 550 engine, which will be fitted as standard on the 400. The prototype aircraft does not have a FADEC engine, but Schrader says the data compiled from the test flights conducted so far would not change once the new engine is fitted. LIGHT UTILITY North Pole eco-tourists could be first to use 'flying camper van' DEVELOPMENT Global 5000 comes together DELIVERIES BRENDAN SOBIE / OSHKOSH Cash boost helps Lancair speed up production The forward fuselage for the first Bombardier Global 5000 super-large business jet has arrived at Bombardier's manufacturing facility in Toronto, Canada. It is the first structural component to be shipped from the manufacturer's Belfast, UK, factory to the Global 5000 final assembly line. The aircraft is shown here with its parent, the ultra-long range Global Express. The Global 5000's first flight is set for early next year. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 30 JULY - 5 AUGUST 2002 39
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