Collins Avionics

Collins Avionics

Flight News On Business Jets Manufacturers Innovation & Creativity Of Modifying The Used & Manufacturing Of New Model Aircraft Into The Market

Comtran International

The Dornier 328Jet Revolution is the result of a company conversion of the 32-passenger commuter shuttle into 12-passenger VIP variant, powered by P&W 306-B and called the 328 Jet "Revolution" retrofit. Long-range tanks are an option, which increase the range from 1200 nautical miles to 2000 nautical miles.

Two variants are available –the Avant Garde Edition and the Classic Edition. All Revolution aircraft are sold through Resort Jet Centre, a sister company to Comtran.

328 Support Service GMbH is an EASA-approved production, maintenance and customer support organization headquartered at Oberpfaffenhofen Airfield, near Munich, Germany. The company includes a completion centre that is dedicated to Dornier 328 maintenance, refurbishment and completion.

The company recently introduced its new VIP 328DBJ TM. This aircraft replaces the "Envoy" version of the 328 and will be the standard for all future VIP conversions by the company. The higher-spec, new generation 328, cabin interior is the result of collaboration between UK-based CTM Design ltd and the 328SSG German-based interior completion team.

Special features of the 328DBJ TM include a new VIP galley that utilizes the forward cabin area more efficiently by generating nearly half a metre more cabin space. The stretched interior can also accommodate both a lounge and conference area.

The aircraft meets the Minimum Navigation Performance Specification (MNPS) for unrestricted operations in MNPS airspace such as the North Atlantic, Oceanic and Remote Areas.

Two more 328DBJ TM aircraft are currently being completed, in Bavaria, for Sky Bird Air, a Nigerian customer.SkyBird will also be taking delivery of completed 328 airliners.

Dassault Aviation

This company produces a variety of high performance ,long-range corporate jets, among which is the Falcon 50EX which can carry eight passengers 3075 nautical miles at Mach0,80 non-stop ,using  just 1522metres of runway even at maximum gross takeoff weight of 18008 kilograms.

Three Honeywell TFE731-40 turbofan engines, with a combined 11100 pounds of takeoff thrust, propel the 50EX to an initial cruise altitude of 41000 feet in just 24 minutes. The flight deck features Pro Line 4 avionics. Wingspan is 18, 86m, length 18,52m and height 6,98m.

US-based Premier Aircraft introduced a 50Dash4 performance upgrade for the Falcon 50. Premier Aircraft, LLC, obtained an FAA STC for the 50Dash4 upgrade in January 2007. The upgrade gives the Falcon 50 greater range, payload, shorter time to climb, higher initial cruise altitude and reduced runway requirements from high and hot airports.

The STC provides for the installation of TFE-731-4-1C engines, converted by Honeywell from their original TFE-7313/3D configuration and includes new exhaust nozzles and modifications to the Falcon 50 nacelles and engine instruments.

Important to both European and North America markets, the FAA STC fully meets both FAA FAR Part 36, Stage 4 and EASA ICAO Chapter 4 noise regulations. The certification allows higher hot-high takeoff weights resulting in up to 620 nautical miles additional range, lower noise and carbon emissions, increased payloads ,shorter time to climb, direct to 37000 feet at ISA+10degrees Centigrade ,and shorter runway requirements. Cruise speed increases of 35 KTAS are also verified. Operational benefits include lower engine maintenance costs and longer inspection intervals.

Falcon 2000DX

Dassault likes to emphasize that the Falcon 2000DX offers customers the choice of a wide cabin, 3250 nautical miles range, a larger jet carrying six passengers at Mach 0, 80 while retaining good short field characteristics. It has a wingspan of 19, 33 metres, length 20, 21 metres and height of 7, 06 metres and an MTOW of 18598 kilograms. Power is provided by two Pratt & Whitney PW308Cs of 7000 lb thrust each.

The EASy flight deck avionics suite is the result of close cooperation between Dassault and Honeywell .EASy comprises four 13by 10-inch flat-panels, high-resolution, active –matrix liquid crystal displays. Laid out in a "T" configuaration, the design puts the primary display unit (PDU) right in front of each pilot.

The PDU shows critical flight information such as combined attitude director indicator; horizontal situation indicator; airspeed; altitude; vertical speed; engine information and aircraft configuration. A newly certificated enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) is available as an option.

It has a low approach speed of 112 knots and can land wit the fuel tanks nearly full, which allows it to make short hops from city to city to pick up passengers, then continue on long missions without refueling.

Falcon 2000EX/LX

Based on the 3800 nautical miles range Falcon 2000EX, the Falcon 2000LX has a range of 4000 nautical miles at Mach 0,80 and a climb to 38000 feet in just 18 minutes, with an MTOW of 19142 kilograms. New wing aerodynamics reduces drag by as much as 5%.

The 4000 nautical miles range 2000LX offers the same interior as the 2000EX EASy but the capability to serve more extensive city pairs. The 2000LX can connect New York to Moscow; Paris to Mumbai; Dubai to London and Hong Kong to Brisbane non-stop .It also offers a 10 to 15% climb speed improvement ,over the Falcon 2000EX,allowing it to reach 41000 feet in just 18 minutes.

Aviation Partners, Inc (API) developed a high-Mach blended winglet specifically for the Falcon wing design. Modifications such as reinforcing straps on the upper and lower wing panels and servo actuator door to accommodate the increased loads were needed. The final result is a baseline wingspan for the 2000LX that is longer than the 2000EX while adding minimal weight.

London City Airport is famed for its steep flight paths that require certification of the aircraft, additional pilot training and approval of operators by the airport. In practice, this means that an aircraft must demonstrate  proficiency in the 5,5 –degree approach and must be able to operate from the airports short runway  of 1320 miles for landing and 1200 miles for takeoff.

Last May, Dassault brought a Falcon 2000LX to carry out evaluation flights in order to gain approval .Dassault was demonstrating a new auto brake feature that reduces the landing distance of the Falcon series, allowing  greater ease of operation into limiting runways. It is said to offer an advantage of some 50 metres in landing distance .This modification has also been certificated for the 2000EX.

The Falcon 2000LX is powered by Pratt& Whitney Canada PW308C is rated at 7000 lbs thrust.

Falcon 900DX

Announced at EBACE 2004, this aircraft fills the niche between the 2000EX and 900EX .The 4100 nautical miles range DX features the Easy flight deck and Honeywell TFE731-60 turbofan engines.

The 900DX received certification in October 2005.By the end of 2007 Dassault delivered its 400th Falcon 900 marking a significant milestone.

Falcon 900EX

With a range of 4500 nautical Miles with eight passengers, the Falcon 900EX tri-jet combines long and short legs on the same mission. The Falcon 900EX offers all of the wide-body cabin features for which the Falcon 900 series is renowned plus upgraded engines, additional fuel capacity and advanced flight deck.

In the wake of the Haitian earthquake, the Falcon 900EX demonstrator from Dassault Flacon Jet flew a number of medical missions from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Cap-Haitien International Airport, in Haiti.

Falcon 900LX

Certificated in July 2010 by EASA and the FAA, the falcon 900LX has a range of 4750 nautical miles with eight passengers and NBAA IFR reserves cruising at MACH 0, 75 .It is powered by three Honeywell TFE731-60 turbofans each rated at 5000 lb thrust.

Wingspan is 21, 38 metres, length 20.12 metres and height is 7, 55 metres.Maximum .takeoff weight is 21900 kilograms and maximum landing weight, 19050 kilograms. The large cabin is based on the Falcon 900EX.

The Falcon 900LX burns 35 to 40% less fuel than other aircraft in its class, thanks to advanced light weight structures and an extremely efficient wing as well as Aviation Partners Inc.s blended winglets. At its MTOW the Falcon 900LX climbs to FL 390 in just 20 minutes.

Avionics comprises the advanced EASy flight deck with Honeywell Primus Epic system, auto throttle and optional Collins Head-up Display and Enhanced Flight Vision System.

Aviation Partners, Inc.anticipates Flacon 900 Winglet certification this month.

The blended winglets for the Falcon 900 series aircraft are similar to those currently certificated for the Flacon 2000 Series, both as API STC for in-service aircraft and incorporated in-production by Dassault on the Falcon 2000lx/900lx.

API is also working toward certification of Winglets for the Falcon 50 series in the third quarter of 2011.

Falcon 7X

The newest Flacon aircraft has a brand new wing and an increase in lift-to-drag ratio. The 5950 nautical miles range aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 0, 90 with eight passengers and three-crew. It is powered by three Pratt& Whitney Canada 307A engines, rated at 6400 lb thrust each.

The 7X was the first business jet equipped with digital flight control system (DFCS).This comprises three dual channel  digital computers, three single digital computers and a back-up system .This degree of redundancy provide 10 probability of 10 of failure. Regulatory requirement is for 10 probability of 9.

First flight was in May 2005 and it received certification in April 2007.

Offering an MTOW of 31298 kilograms it has a take off distance of 1678 metres, an approach speed of 104 knots with a landing distance of 690 metres.

Last November, Dassault delivered the 100th Falcon 7X to a Brazilian financial services company. By that date, the Falcon 7X fleet had accumulated more than 57000 flight hours, operating in over 25 countries with orders coming from more than 40 countries.

The fleet leader had logged more than 3000 flight hours since its delivery in mid 2007.Deliveries have also been made to China and India.

Future Mid-Sized Falcon

With the certification and first deliveries of the Falcon 7X complete, Dassault turned its attention to developing a new Flacon known as the SMS (super mid-size).In June 2007, Dassault Aviation announced that Rolls-Royce had been selected as the engine partner for the new design.

Little information has been forthcoming on design details, except to say that Rolls-Royce had demonstrated its capability to provide an all-new engine in the 10000 lb thrust range.

More recently, assault appeared to be having a renthink.Apparently, the current, global financial crisis had given the European manufacturer the opportunity to work more closely with prospective customers and their future requirements. It also seemed to suggest that the choice of engine was open for renegotiation.

In the original competition, R-R beat General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt& Whitney and Snecma, the latter being widely regarded as front-runner with its Silvercrest engine.

Some analysts now suggest that the Silver crest might become the eventual winner after all.

Dassault has been rather coy about overall progress, though it is said to be working toward a 2016 certification date.It has been revealed that wind tunnel testing has now defined the final shape, but there is little hard information expected for another year or two.

About the Author

Anthony Juma is the Editor and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Aviation. 
This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Business Jet Private Charter Flight In Kenya,Tanzania,Rwanda,Burundi,Uganda,,Somalia ,South Sudan East Africa & Africa . The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http:// / www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/services/vip-executive-flights.html

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