EBACE Show News - May 21, 2008 - (Page 58)

EBACE 2008 Six Prestiges for MAZ—a Mideast First In less time than it takes to complete t h e p a p e r w o r k t o b u y a c a r, Mohammed H. Al-Zeer, chairman of MAZ Aviation, committed to six Airbus A350 XWB Prestige VIP aircraft here on Tuesday morning. With $1.5 billion changing hands, the transaction was a record for Airbus’ corporate jet sales. The package includes five -900s and one -800 for delivery beginning in 2015; choice of cabin outfitters is pending (and will, no doubt, lead to a stampede to get the business). Together with sales of two Prestige aircraft in Asia, this brings Airbus’ box score to eight. Al-Zeer credited Airbus with having the right product for his customers, for “listening and thinking outside the box.” He says, “I’ve been Builders of the A350 XWB Prestige are extremely accommodating to customers, says Mohammed Al-Zeer, who’s buying six. in the aviation business for 23 years, and I’ve worked with all of them. Thrane’s Aero-SB Lite: SwiftBroadband on a Diet Thrane & Thrane says its Aero-SB Lite Inmarsat SwiftBroadband system will be delivered to customers before year-end and is taking orders now. The ultra-compact package is designed to provide all the benefits of broadband satellite services with none of the adverse issues. The system has built-in WiFi capability and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), so that passengers can use laptops and VoIP telephone handsets with ease. Better still, the system allows for flexibility in billing, which is available in time units (pay per minute) or in data units (pay per megabyte). The system’s intermediate gain antenna is small and light for easy integration into even the lightest aircraft and helicopters. Thrane & Thrane (Booth 301) also is demonstrating at EBACE how its systems provide true office-inthe-sky cabin IT environments. If you have a customer who wants a large ashtray because he likes to smoke cigars, they’ll say it’s impossible.” He says he got into aviation because it is his “passion” and observes that when an airplane passes overhead, people like him cannot resist looking up at it. When MAZ was formed two years ago, its main focus was on the private owner who would “struggle” with the technical issues and the details of buying the right aircraft, Al-Zeer says. By taking all the hassle out of buying, MAZ satisfies the needs of very high net worth owners who need an aircraft of this size to accomplish their global business missions. The MAZ customers in this buy are previous owner operators of Airbus equipment, the company says, but are not characterized as government or charter operators. Above all, Al-Zeer says, “our customers value SOCATA Looks to the Long Term With FusComp The light aircraft arm of EADS, SOCATA last month launched the active phase of its FusComp R&D program, a 9.2 million euro manufacturing study of a composite fuselage prototype to test the vacuum Liquid Resin Infusion process and new materials. The design of this proof-of-concept is based on the airframe of the TBM 850 business turboprop, currently in production in metal form. When asked why it wants to reinvent the 850 in alternative materials, SOCATA remains silent, but a turbofan-powered version has been rumored. The first parts manufactured using the new processes are to debut in 2009, and the fuselage prototype will be completed in 2011. The FusComp task force will involve up to 50 people, including partners, teachers and students from industry and academia. confidentiality and privacy.” He eschews the term “broker” for what he does and tells of how he was surprised to learn that one deal being conducted very quietly involved his own brother. Al-Zeer says the Prestiges offer the best “size, range and technology” for his customers. None of the aircraft will be chartered or shared among owners but are strictly private—as private as one’s house, in this case. All purchase contracts, financing and end-to-end management of the aircraft is handled by MAZ. “Aside from manufacturing the aircraft, we handle everything,” Al-Zeer says. Added Airbus evp, Asia-Pacific, Africa & corporate jet Edouard Ullmo, “There is no separate spin-off at Airbus for corporate aircraft. We have to guarantee satisfaction… Any improvement to the airline aircraft will be incorporated immediately into [the Prestige line].” Airbus says the aircraft can connect any two points on the planet nonstop, a capability business leaders need to grow their companies internationally. Al-Zeer points out that MAZ customers trade for new aircraft every 10 years on average, and it’s important that the aircraft hold their value. “We looked at all aircraft—everything,” he says. “This airplane stands on its own; it is completely unique.” 58 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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