FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
2003
2003 - 0566.PDF
BUSINESS AVIATION The first annual Latin American Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (LABACE) opened this month at the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, marking the start of a new era for business aviation in the region. Jointly organised by the US National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Associacao Brasileira de Aviacao Geral (ABAG), the event drew 86 exhibitors, 16 static aircraft and 4,000 attendees. The NBAA says the success of its convention partnerships in Europe and Latin America could lead to the creation of a dedicated event in Asia. Show report by Jackson Flores and Justin Wastnage. SHOW REPORT LABACE CERTIFICATION Dassault poised for 2000EX approval JAA clearance expected by the end of March despite late design modifications to increase fuel capacity Dassault Falcon Jet is expecting European Joint Aviation Authorities certification for its large cabin, long- range Falcon 2000EX business jet by the end of the month, despite implementing some late design changes. The modifications are des igned to increase the aircraft's fuel capacity by around 4% and, accord ing to John Rosanvallon, president of Dassault Falcon, were built into the original certification schedule. Dassault added capacity for an extra 310kg (6901b) of fuel in the fuselage tanks after detecting a thrust deficit in the Pratt & Whitney Canada 308C turbofan powerplants during endurance tests, says Rosan vallon. "We carried out the modifi cations rather than go back on our promise on range," he says. The air craft can fly 7,000km (3,800nm) with six passengers at Mach 0.8. The 2000EX's maximum take-off weight has increased by 270kg to 18,750kg. The revised fuel system includes a new gauging system and gives the aircraft an increased eng ine climb thrust to maintain pay- load and climb performance targets. The five 2000EX prototypes have undergone 567h of flight tests in 242 flights. Dassault says the JAA completed technical work in February and only administrative work remains, with US Federal Aviation Administration certifica tion expected "within 14 days" of JAA approval. Deliveries are due to start in the second quarter, with the first 30 aircraft fitted with Collins ProLine IV avionics before certifica tion of Dassault's Easy flightdeck in the second quarter of next year. REORGANISATION Embraer rejig aims to increase income from corporate fliers Embraer has reorganised its business divisions to focus on promoting its business aviation products, and aims to earn around 10% of its rev enues from business aviation by 2008, compared with 2% today. After securing a foothold in the super mid-size business aircraft mar ket with the Legacy, Embraer is seek ing to stimulate sales of the aircraft. Of the 73 firm Legacy corporate jet family orders, Embraer has logged 25 sales for its Shuttle version of the ERJ-135, plus 50 as options. Embraer chief executive Mauricio Botelho says the Legacy Shuttle is tailored for a niche in the corporate aviation market that has grown since September 2001. The USA is the Legacy Shuttle's principal mar ket, but the Brazilian manufacturer demonstrated the aircraft in Asia prior to delivering the first Legacy Shuttle to Chicago-based Indigo. Believing that an order for five EMB-135BJs earmarked for the Indian defence ministry will be signed "shortly", Botelho says the Legacy could win a significant share of the Asian market. There is also interest from the governments of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. SALES First Learjet 45 for Brazil Bombardier has sold a Learjet 45XR to Rio de Janeiro-based charter operator Ocean Air. The deal is the first sale in Latin America of the super-light business jet. Ocean Air says the aircraft will be used for short-haul domestic corporate travel in Brazil. CHARTER TAM drives towards Mustang-based air taxis Brazilian airline group TAM is study ing the launch of nationwide short- haul air taxi operations using up to 10 Cessna Citation Mustangs. In a separate move, TAM's Jatos Executivos division, which is the Cessna distributor in Brazil, ordered 10 Mustangs at LABACE and says it has received "serious customer interest" in the aircraft. Rui Thomaz de Aquino, TAM Jatos Executivos president, says the company has sold 28 of its order of 30 Mustangs placed at the National Business Aviation Association con vention last September. Many of TAM Jatos Executivos' customers use business aircraft for relatively short flights between Sao Paulo and other south-eastern Brazilian centres. The range of the Mustang, coupled with an average passenger load of two, make the air craft "perfect for the Brazilian mar ket", says Aquino. TAM Jatos Executivos, which is legally separate from its airline sister TAM Linhas Aereas, says it will prob ably order 10 aircraft to launch a small-scale block charter pro gramme between major Brazilian cities. Aquino says a decision will be made in a few months. TAM Jatos Executivos is to open the largest South American business jet maintenance facility next year in Jundiai, northern Sao Paulo state. The company is to build the 36 mil lion reals ($11 million) site at the former military airport. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 25-31 MARCH 2003 23
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
