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Aviation History
2004
2004-04 - 0024.PDF
BUSINESS AVIATION UPGRADE Raisbeck awaits FAA approval for ZR upgrade to Learjet 35/36s Raisbeck Engineering has com pleted flight tests of its "ZR" upgrade kit for the Learjet 35/36 family, but will not begin taking firm orders for the modification until it secures US Federal Aviation Administration approval. The ZR kit, unveiled at the National Business Aviation Asso ciation show in October 2003, includes extensive aerody namic modifications aimed at reducing drag by up to 10% at the Learjet's nominal high-speed cruise ofMach0.81. The kit comprises three main elements including supercritical double-delta inboard wing leading- edge gloves, reflexed extended trail ing edge flaps and horizontal winglets or "batwings". Flight tests are complete, but Raisbeck says the certification process and certain "manufactur ing steps" are taking longer than expected. The first kits are now expected to be available early in the second quarter of 2004, rather than March as had previously been expected. The test flight results showed that the expected drag reduction was achieved, says the company, adding: "We have a tremendous amount of interest in the modification, particularly from the larger charter companies." RELOCATION PINO MODOLA/GENOA Piagqio's US arm moves to Florida Avia Aviation places options on three P180 Avantis and fellow fractional operator AvantAir considers further aircraft Piaggio Aero Industries has relo cated its US-based subsidiary Piaggio America from Greenville, South Carolina to Jet Aviation's West Palm Beach, Florida facility. The transfer comes as the US com pany secures three options for the P180 Avanti twin pusher turboprop from Canadian fractional-owner ship operator Avia Aviation. The Calgary-based company already operates three P180s. Fellow North Production of Piaggio s P180 twin turboprop is sold out until early 2006 American P180 fractional operator AvantAir is also believed to be con sidering further options. The New York-based company operates a fleet of seven P180s and has a fur ther five on order. Piaggio America was formed in 2000 to relaunch the PI 80 in the USA. There are now 40 Avantis operating in North America, sup ported by seven service centres. Piaggio says P180 production is sold out until early 2006, with 70% intended for US customers. In 2003, 12 aircraft were delivered, down from 14 the year before, and 18 should be handed over this year. The decision to relocate the US base followed the the signing last year of a long-term tenancy deal with Jet Aviation to occupy hangar and office space at its facility. As part of the deal, Jet Aviation will outfit Avanti aircraft for Piaggio America, the support arm for the P180 on the continent. Meanwhile, the seven-seat PI 80 has also been selected by UK-based start-up operator Primeflight for its twice-daily service between Belfast International in Northern Ireland and Brussels National. The service, which will begin on 1 March, is targeted at business travellers. Primeflight says it plans to add more aircraft and routes, notably Zurich, Geneva and Frankfurt. Primeflight will also launch simultaneously an air ambulance and charter operation deploying a PI80 owned by UK operator Euroskylink. DELIVERIES Sikorsky readies first S-92 and sees highest-ever S-76 demand Sikorsky saw demand for its S-76 helicopter reach an all-time high last year, with the US manufacturer taking firm orders for 49 aircraft, plus options for an additional 57 helicopters over five years. The company delivered 23 S-76C+ aircraft in 2003 and expects to ship 29 of the type this year. Stratford, Connecticut-based Sikorsky says that S-76 sales have reached a 25-year high as corporate and offshore operators continue to renew their fleets. CHC Helicopter ordered four S-76C+S in 2003, while Offshore Logistics signed a contract to purchase 15 aircraft over five years. Sikorsky, meanwhile, will deliver the first S-92 to Petroleum Helicopters (PHI) in March, at the Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo show in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHI ordered two S-92s in August last year. The S-92 received US certification in December 2002, and the first four production aircraft are nearing completion at Sikorsky's new Bridgeport, Connecticut factory. PRODUCTION Raytheon in recovery Raytheon Aircraft's recovery con tinues, the company delivering 177 business aircraft last year and pro jecting deliveries of 211 aircraft this year - including the first two Hawker Horizon super mid-size business jets. While shipments of the Beechcraft King Air series, Hawker 400XP (formerly Beechjet 400A) and Hawker 800XP met or exceeded expectations, Beechcraft Premier I light jet deliveries were below the original target, says Raytheon. As a result, the company missed its 2003 delivery forecast of 191 air craft, but still ended the year mar ginally up on 2002's total of 174 business aircraft. Raytheon delivered 29 Premier Is last year, and plans to ship 40 this year. King Air production is also planned to increase, from 79 in 2003 to 93 in 2004. Hawker 800XP deliveries are forecast to stay essen tially flat at 47 aircraft, while ship ments of the revamped Hawker 400XP are planned to increase slightly to 29 aircraft. The Wichita, Kansas-based com pany also delivered 82 piston-pow ered aircraft last year, with produc tion of Bonanza singles and Baron twins planned to increase to 98 air craft this year. 22 3-9 FEBRUARY 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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