EBACE Show News - May 21, 2008 - (Page 14)

EBACE 2008 Eclipse Weather Radar Certified There Are Flaws In VistaJet/Skyjet Plan, Tehranchian Suggests Ocean Sky CEO Kurosh Tehranchian ponders VistaJet’s buyout of Bombardier’s Skyjet International. He told Show News, “In Europe a very large portion of your revenue comes from brokers, and especially in Russia. By announcing that [VistaJet is] getting into the Jet Card market and looking to establish a direct link with more customers, VistaJet may find brokers are reluctant to work with them. We have already had several brokers express that fear to us, about sharing client Tehranchian. lists and how they fear that will damage their existing business. For example, no brokers have a relationship with NetJets, so it’s a surprising move on that front.” Tehranchian also thinks that competition will be tough for the new business. “The combined VistaJet and Skyjet International will be going head-to-head with NetJets. I know VistaJet is talking about expanding into Asia and the other emerging markets, but that’s where everyone is talking about. There are no virgin markets anymore and everyone will be in very quickly behind them. “VistaJet has been strong in Europe, and it clearly makes sense for them to introduce their new business there, to the market that they know best. Facing NetJets I don’t think you can have two operators that size. There’s also a real logistical problem with airport accommodation.” Tehranchian notes that while questions of profitability surround both NetJets and Skyjet International, “NetJets is already far ahead, and if I had to put my money on one person in the race, it would be on the one who’s in front.” —Robert Hewson Eclipse Aviation has been granted FAA certification of the new Eclipse Aviation Weather Radar, an advanced color system designed by Eclipse and Japan Radio Co., which will manufacture and supply all radar components for the Eclipse 500 VLJ. “JRC has been an exceptional partner in the design and launch of this next-generation system, and we are pleased to offer Eclipse 500 pilots the outstanding situational weather awareness it delivers.” said Eclipse president and CEO Vern Raburn. The Eclipse Aviation Weather Radar provides tactical radar information on the airplane’s PFDs, and integrates seamlessly with Avio NG integrated avionics and systems management equipment. Eclipse is at Booth 7463 and in the aircraft static park. Avidyne Launches Its FMS900w Avidyne (Booth 563) introduced its new Entegra FMS900w WAAS-enabled GPS/NAV/COM Flight Management System. Designed to reduce workload for single-pilot IFR operations, the FMS900w provides fully redundant, state-of-the-art VHF and TSO C146b Gamma 3-compliant turbine-class FMS capability for all general aviation aircraft. FMS900w is an enhancement to Avidyne’s Entegra integrated flight-deck platform and is designed specifically to take advantage of Entegra’s large-format displays and Byteflight peer-topeer databus architecture. Has Cessna Missed the ‘Bus’? Cessna, like all manufacturers, prefers customers who buy more than one of anything— so what do you call the Cessna Citation Columbus times two? There are fleets of Grumman Gooses, DH Canada Caribous and forced plurals of proper nouns, like Embraer Brasilias. ‘Columbuses,’ if its syllables are incorrectly divided, looks like a contraction for a long row of public transport vehicles, but ‘Columbii’ doesn’t look right, either. The-Le-V-Jet: It’s Not Named Yet When will Cirrus’s V-tailed jet fly? EBACE is the first display location for the full-size mockup (Booth 7430), but chairman and CEO Alan Klapmeier is tight lipped regarding the maiden sortie of this personal single-jet. However, recent imagery of the company’s flight test center shows the aircraft standing on its undercarriage with engine installed. Oshkosh’s AirVenture in late July would be a good time for a public debut, so smart money is on first flight before then. It has been called “Cirrus The-Jet” for want of a better name, but promotional literature at EBACE in French describing “Le-Jet” implies that a definitive name has yet to be decided. “That assumption would be correct,” said Klapmeier. Finnoff Aviation to Offer PC-12 Upgrade Boulder, Colorado-based Finnoff Aviation is developing a PT6A-67P/MTU five-blade, composite prop upgrade for PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 aircraft, according to program insiders. The upgrade will provide essentially the same performance as that offered by the PC-12/47E, the latest variant of Pilatus’ highly successful single-engine turboprop. PC-12/47E can cruise as fast as 280 KTAS at FL 200, while burning 491 pph, according to BCA’s May 2008 Purchase Planning Handbook. Show News contacted Chris Finnoff, president of Finnoff Aviation, here at EBACE, but he opted not to comment about the program. Gate V Gains Pratt Canada Level I Approval Gate V Aircraft Maintenance of Vienna (Booth 623) is to provide Level I support comprising all line maintenance for Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D and PW500 engines. The EASA Part 145 shop operates from a 2,500 sq m (27,000 sq ft) hangar facility at Vienna Airport. The approval by P&WC follows opening of a new parts distribution center in Amsterdam to improve delivery times to European customers. 14 May 21, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EBACE Show News - May 21, 2008

A318 Elite is on a Roll A Circle Around London P&WC Deliveries Triple Avanti Sees Sales Shift RUAG Eyes Needy Cabins Global Gets Even NICEr Embraer Beefs Up Support Honeywell ‘Virtual VFR’ Signature Europe Grows Gestair Seeks to Double Aero-Dienst Turns 50 Gama Doubles in Size All is Not Woe with Oil Ocean Sky is Aggressive

EBACE Show News - May 21, 2008

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