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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 0243.PDF
BUSINESS AVIATION PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC Bell reviews helicopter portfolio But US manufacturer holds off on new developments and looks at EH101 as complement to V-22 tiltrotor offering Bell is undertaking a comprehen sive review across its single and twin turbine-powered range of light and intermediate commercial helicopters, but says it is still not ready to commit to any new devel opments. The US manufacturer at the same time is continuing to express interest in the larger AgustaWestland EH 101 as a future market complement to the military Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor. Bell in 2002 revealed its JRX concept for a replacement for the entry-level 206 JetRanger and had been expected to launch the pro gramme at this month's Helicopter Multiflight to fill northern England gap Multiflight is building a new fixed- base operation at Leeds/ Bradford Airport in the north of England to take advantage of the burgeoning demand for busi ness aircraft facilities in the region. "Leeds is rapidly expand ing as a financial centre and consequently we are seeing an increase in business aircraft movements from fractional- ownership providers such as NetJets, charter operators and private individuals," says Multiflight managing director Steve Borrowdale. He adds: "We handle around 65 flights a month, and there is a need to improve the facilities, par ticularly hangars, to cater for growing numbers of widebodies." The new £8 million ($13 mil lion) facility, funded by Multiflight and Leeds/Bradford Airport, will include a newtaxiway apron, two new hangars and a business aviation centre. Multiflight, which also pro vides maintenance and flying training, is to take delivery of a Boeing Business Jet 2 in May. The 737-800 derivative is set to enter service in June. Association International (HAI) show. "We're still working on tech nology development issues and will be spending a lot of time making sure we get it right. We will make competitive product announce ments at the right time, but it's not going to be this HAI," says Bell chair man and president John Murphey. JRX is one of several potential new or improved products being considered under Bell's Vision 2020 plan. Aside from replacing the 206B-3 and L-4, the company has been looking at improvements to the 427 light twin, only five of which were delivered in 2002. The CHARTER London Executive Aviation (LEA) is to become the first charter operator to fly the Cessna Citation Excel's newly certificated steep approach into London City Airport. LEA was the first UK operator to receive an updated flight safety manual from Cessna last month and expects to fly its first customer in the nine- seat, super-light business jet this week. The certification clears the aircraft for 5.5° approaches, which includes business airports such as Lugano, Italy, in addition to City, with no weight penalty. DELIVERIES Gulfstream has received US certifi cation for the G300 large-cabin business jet, a derivative of the GIV Both the G300 and the G400, which replaces the GIV-SP in the company's expanded, rebranded line-up, are scheduled for delivery from June. Whereas the G400 has a 7,600km (4,100nm) range, a customisable interior and a five-year maintenance and training package included in the price, the G300 has a 6,700km company concedes "the 427 has some limitations" in terms of avail able power and its current certifica tion restricting it to visual flight- rule operations. Bell also says it wants to lower the cost of the 430 intermediate twin. "Over the next 10 years we think any product on the market today, exclusive of tiltrotors, will have to be replaced or significantly improved," says Murphey. The company will continue to make improvements to the larger 412, but nothing on the scale of the original planned 412 Plus engine and avionics upgrade, which was range and is offered with three cabin layouts, seven interior pack ages and several standalone options. Both aircraft use the GIV-SP's Honeywell SPZ-8400 integrated avionics, with head-up display and enhanced vision system available as options. Gulfstream's two long- range business jets, the G500 and G550, are based on the GV and fea ture the Honeywell Epic-based PlaneView flightdeck. The 12,500km-range G550, for- dropped in favour of the next gen eration Bell/Agusta AB139 sched uled for certification this year. Bell says it continues to "hold an interest" in the EH 101, as AgustaWestland and systems part ner Lockheed Martin attempt to find a company to build the heli copter in its US101 guise. It is being targeted to meet US Air Force com bat search and rescue requirements and a US Marine Corps require ment to replace Sikorsky VH-3 presidential transports. Boeing and Kaman have also held collaborative discussions with AgustaWestland. SEE FEATURE P42 merly the GV-SP, received provi sional US certification at the end of last year. The aircraft is customis able and comes with the training and maintenance package, whereas the 10,700km-range G500 is offered with a range of standard layouts and option packages. Completing the revised line-up are the mid-size G100, super mid size G200, and the mid-size G150 launched last year, with deliveries to begin in 2005. LEA to make first Excel steep approach into City Large-cabin G300 wins approval as Gulfstream continues revamp 28 4-10 FEBRUARY 2003 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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