FLUG REVUE July 2003: EBACE brings good business

EBACE GROWS DESPITE RECESSION

By Volker K. Thomalla

The biggest novelty at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) was only divulged at the end of the first day, when Boeing unveiled its 717 Business Express, the latest variant of the Boeing 717-200. Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofans, the regional jet is intended as a corporate shuttle. “A company with significant and regular employee movement between two or more key business facilities would be a candidate for a 717 Business Express airplanes,” said Thad Dworkin, sales director, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The aircraft can be fitted with between 35 and 80 seats, which can be configured according to the requirements of the user, for example, with PC workstations and internet connections. “This airplane can save significant time in the travel process, which in turn reduces costs.” On the other hand, Dworkin sees the 717 Business Express not as a competitor but as an addition to the airlines.

EBACE static display

Built in the Boeing factory in Long Beach, California, the 717 is not undergoing any major system modifications in the transition to Business Express. The installation of passenger steps under the cabin door and additional tanks in response to customer requests are the only modifications that have been necessary. The basic range of the aircraft, according to Boeing, is 1,600nm (2,963km). However, it can be boosted to 3,000nm (5,556km) with the auxiliary tanks. A model on show in Geneva had winglets, which according to Dworkin are not standard, but can be fitted as an option after delivery.

When delivered with Business Class interior, the list price is $27 million but, if required, Boeing can also deliver a “green” airplane – one without a finished passenger cabin. Boeing has not yet received any orders for the 717 Business Express, although apparently discussions are currently under way with three to four potential customers in the USA. If an order were to be placed in the near future, the first aircraft would be available in September 2004. According to Dworkin, Boeing is aiming for between four and six sales per year.

Bombardier was exhibiting the Challenger 300 for the first time in Europe. The super midsize jet landed in Geneva after a flight from Wichita with stops in Bangor and Shannon. The plane exhibited at EBACE is the fourth of five Challenger 300's currently undergoing flight trials. As of shortly before the show, the five test aircraft had between them accumulated 1,039 flights and 2,126 flying hours. Powered by two Honeywell AS907 turbofans with a take-off thrust of 28.9kN (6500lb), the jet can carry eight passengers a distance of 3,100nm (5,471km) non-stop. With a maximum cruise speed stated by Bombardier at Mach 0.82 (approx. 870km/h), the twin-jet is not exactly slow en route.

It is 20.93m long, 6.17m high and has a wingspan of 19.40m. The Challenger 300's initial cruise altitude is FL410, while its maximum ceiling is as high as FL450 (13,716m). According to Bombardier, the new type is expected to be certificated shortly, and the first Challenger 300 will enter customer service already in the second half of 2003.

There were also some new offerings on the Global Express, of which over 100 aircraft are now in service with customers. Thus, Bombardier has begun flight testing of an Enhanced Vision System (EVS) on board the ultra-long-range jet. In the course of a 24 month period of testing, the company plans to demonstrate the EVS's suitability for everyday use and have it certificated. The Bombardier EVS (BEVS) presents data from an infrared sensor to the pilot in a head-up display and to the co-pilot on his screen on the instrument panel.

Along with the hardware, i.e. the aircraft, Bombardier was also showing what the company has to offer in the way of “software”, i.e. in services covering all aspects of Business Aviation. Thus, for example, Bombardier offers the potential customer who has a requirement for business jet travel a whole range of tailored solutions specifically geared towards European customers. The spectrum ranges from normal charter services or block charters in a jet membership programme through to participation in a fractional ownership programme.

Bombardier's arch-rival Gulfstream is already a significant way further down the line with its own EVS system, which has been certificated since October 2001 and is installed on 34 Gulfstream jets. A member of the General Dynamics group, the company brought its new Gulfstream 550 to Geneva. This is a 29.40m long ultra-long-range jet with a range of 12,500km (6,750nm), which should enter service before the year is out.

Dassault was celebrating 40 years of the Dassault Falcon at EBACE and, accordingly, had a large presence at the show (see report in the Paris Air Show Extra in this month's FLUG REVUE).

A familiar business jet, the Beechjet 400A, appeared in Geneva under the new name it has carried since the beginning of May, the Hawker 400XP. Brad Hatt, president of the Hawker Aircraft Division of Raytheon Aircraft, explained that there was more to it than just a change of name. The Hawker 400XP has a 90kg higher payload and maximum take-off weight and a five-year guarantee, while a number of other features which were only available as options on the Beechjet 400 are now standard on the Hawker 400.

EBACE has established itself as a show for Business Aviation. All the big names from among the top-end business jet manufacturers were represented at the show. The Cessna Aircraft Company has even given preference to Geneva over the Paris Air Show, which it has decided not to bother with. The accessory manufacturers had also come to Geneva in greater numbers than in previous years. A majority of the exhibitors surveyed by FLUG REVUE felt that the exhibition is living up to its function as a marketplace.

Thanks to the large number of business jets assembled at Geneva airport, visitors were able to admire a lot more business jets than just the 37 planes that were in the official static line.

From FLUG REVUE 7/2003

Last updated 11 June 2003

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