Aviation Week Show News - November 11, 2007 - (Page 20)

BUSINESS AVIATION DU BAI 2007 Gulfstreams Get EASA ETOPS Nod Galloping Past Mustang, Eclipse Shatters Speed Mark and Uses Far Less Fuel It took just over two weeks for Eclipse Aviation to beat a National Aeronautic Association speed mark set by the Cessna Mustang for the new record category of Class C, Aeroplanes, Very Light Jets. “I was extremely confident that the Eclipse 500 could defeat the speed, but more importantly, we could use significantly less fuel while going faster,” said Eclipse president and CEO Vern Raburn. “So two weeks later we flew the same route with the Eclipse 500 using at least 50 gallons less fuel than the Mustang and beating the time by about 27 minutes.” Vern Raburn. The Mustang set the new NAA mark of two hours, 23 minutes, and 44 seconds from New York (Westchester) to Atlanta (Peachtree-Dekalb) on September 22. The Eclipse, flown by senior fellow Don Taylor, flew the same route in one hour, 55 minutes, and eight seconds on October 7. According to Eclipse, the Mustang used 1,330 lb (198.5 gal) of fuel cruising at FL400 while the Eclipse used just 987 lb (147 gal) cruising at FL320. “With oil prices climbing, we are proud to offer the Eclipse 500 as the most efficient VLJ to move travelers from Point A to Point B on a quick, affordable and convenient basis,” Raburn said. The European Aviation Safety Agency recently granted engineering approval for all current Gulfstream large cabin models—G350, G450, G500 and G550 (shown here)—to fly routes up to 180 minutes from an emergency or diversion airfield. The approval translates into an additional 380 nmi that the aircraft can fly from the nearest airport, and affirms that they can operate on Extended Twin-engined Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) routes. “This EASA finding leads the way for Gulfstream charter operators in the European Union to fly more direct intercontinental routes, thereby reducing travel time and fuel consumption,” Gulfstream says. Gulfstream is at Chalet A12. Swiss FBOs to Cooperate During WEF2008 ExecuJet’s Zürich International Airport FBO and Airport St.Gallen-Altenrhein have agreed to cooperate during the World Economic Forum, which takes place in Davos, Switzerland from January 23-27, 2008. The prominent visitors include leaders of industry, high-ranking members of society, the media, academics, scientists and policy-makers. “Our two locations have different qualities and benefits. Through our cooperation, we are able to offer WEF participants more quality options to meet their individual requirements,” notes Graham Stephenson, manager of ExecuJet’s European FBOs. “Working together makes a lot of sense and the visitors to the event in Davos will benefit,” commented Cdr. Bud Slabbaert, who is in charge of business aviation development at Airport St.Gallen-Altenrhein. ExecuJet is at Stand E542. Cessna’s Order Book Brimmeth Over With eight different models of business jets, along with six models of singleengine piston aircraft and three versions of the single-engine turboprop Caravan in current production, Cessna now has the highest backlog in its history, according to chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton. Pelton noted that the total backlog as of August 31 is more than $11 billion, representing roughly 2,700 units, half of which are business jets. In the current year up to August 31, Cessna has booked orders for 525 business jets, compared to 496 business jet orders booked in all of 2006. “Last year, we delivered 307 business jets. This year we expect to deliver 380. Next year, we plan to deliver 470,” said Pelton. and Firm Ramps Up Caravan Production Cessna’s Roger Whyte, svp sales and marketing, says the company has already sold twice as many Caravans this year as the sales plan calls for and production is being increased by 30% for 2008. Cessna sold 67 Caravans in 2006 according to figures published by GAMA. Cessna has maxed out its total manufacturing operations in Wichita to the point that it is investing in a technical training center to help qualify new A&P mechanics and sheet metal workers. “If we don’t do that we may not have the people to manage the upside that we see,” he says. Cessna is at Chalet A10. Landmark STCs Double-Club F900 Seating Landmark Aviation, a Dubai Aerospace Enterprise engineering company, has U.S. FAA clearance for double-club seating installations on Falcon 900s. “This forward cabin arrangement, using DeCrane 5400 series seats, is unique to our customer’s need and demonstrates our expertise delivering one-of-a-kind cabin features,” said Landmark’s Bob Miller. “The Falcon 900 typically has conference and club group seating. The double-club seating style uniquely allows eight passengers to sit in groups of two during travel.” Landmark/DAE is at Stand C1000/1001. Think There’s Money Here? You’re Right Eclipse 500 already has Middle East customers. The number of millionaires in the UAE grew from 9,100 to 68,100 last year, according to the World Wealth Report by global asset management group Merrill Lynch and consultancy firm Capgemini. The number of Saudi millionaires grew just 11.8% to 89,600. 20 November 11, 2007 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

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