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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 0734.PDF
Directory: business aircraft Wis Piaggio is seeing strong interest in its P180Avanti, notably from fractional In a mixed 12 months for manufacturers sales were down, but very light jets attracted entrants and new programmes made progress KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON It has been a bumpy ride for business air craft manufacturers in recent years. Thin orderbooks, falling prices and high cus tomer expectations have make it difficult for established players to steer steady courses, while the increasingly volatile money markets have destabilised and derailed the funding ambitions of new mar ket entrants. In the past 12 months alone, Chichester Miles Consultants, after years of seeking investment, was forced to halt development of its Leopard Six business jet. Funding is also proving elusive for Aerostar Aircraft and Explorer Aircraft of the USA, but planning for their respective twin-turbofan FJ100 and 500T singe- engined turboprop is continuing for the time being. Despite the financial pitfalls, this innova tive industry has nevertheless attracted a new wave of entrants over the past 12 months, most lured, unsurprisingly, by the emerging and potentially lucrative entry- level very light jet sector. Excel Jet is developing the single- engined, four-seat Sport Jet - the first, it says, to be equipped with a ballistic recovery parachute. Eviation, owned by real-estate developer Matt Eller, has snapped up the Vantage sin- gle-engined turbofan, formerly owned by Vision Aire, and plans to turn the aircraft into a twin, convinced that two engines will have more customer appeal than a single. Avocet Aircraft is developing the ProJet "air-taxi", but is eager to gain the full back ing of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), to give the programme viability. The Israeli manu facturer is evaluating the programme and
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