Air News on Modification of Jet Aircraft Fleets
Cessna Adds Plus To CJ3, New Name for CJ2 Cessna Aircraft has announced a new “plus” to add to the company’s line of Cessna CJ-series jets –the CJ3+ -which includes a state-of-the-art fully integrated Garmin G3000 avionics suite, all-new interiors with a redesigned cabin and cockpit, new pressurization, and new diagnostics systems.
Additional features of the CJ3+’s new G3000 avionics include improved turbulence detecting weather radar,TCAS 11,advanced terrain awareness warning systems (TAWS), a wireless media server, Garmin integrated cockpit and cabin Iridium phone, and high speed internet capabilities from Air cell. The CJ3+ includes the installation of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities, bringing the aircraft in compliance with this aspect of next generation (Next-Gen) air traffic control requirements.
Cessna’s CJ3+ is expected to receive FAA certification during the second half of the year. Having a range of up to 1875 nautical miles, the CJ3+ is expected to receive single-pilot certification and has maximum seating capacity for nine passengers. Cessna’s Citation series of jets is claimed by the company to be the most popular line of business jets ever produced, with more than 6600 jets that have been designed, manufactured and delivered to customers around the world. Citation CJ2+ Within days of the CJ3+ announcement, Cessna also added an upgrade program me for the company’s Citation CJ2+ business jet.
The new Alpine Edition CJ2+ modification package includes the installation of a Garmin G3000 avionics suite-making the jet compliant with next generation (Next-Gen) requirements. In addition to the avionics upgrade, the Alpine Edition CJ2+ features new pressurization and environmental systems, the latest diagnostics systems, and a redesigned cockpit.
A part from the Garmin G3000 avionics suite, the Alpine Edition includes increased access to the cockpit with the removal of seven inches from the legacy pedestal, improved turbulence detecting weather radar, TCAS 11, advanced terrain awareness warning systems (TAWS),a wireless media server, Garmin integrated cockpit and cabin Iridium phone, and high speed internet capabilities from Air cell.
The Alpine Edition CJ2+ package includes the installation of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities, bringing the aircraft in compliance with this aspect of Next Gen air traffic control requirements. Alpine Edition will also offer exclusive exterior paint schemes and interior packages as optional upgrades. SAAB Expands Its African Footprint Swedish Defense and security company, Saab, is expanding its presence on the African continent and has recently opened an office in Gaborone, Botswana to further this goal.
Saab has always made it clear that one of the company’s main goals is to grow and break into the Sub-Saharan region. With the growing economy in Africa this expansion has been made all the more important. This is also in line with Saab’s establishment of its “Market Area Concept” which consolidates the markets in which the company is active. Jerker Ahlqvist,who will be heading up the Saab office in Botswana, explains: “With the establishment of the market areas, Saab is expanding on all continents,” he said, continuing: “With the growing economies in many countries in Africa there is a now a definite growing demand for defense and security products-and hence, a demand for Saab products.” Saab is now represented in South Africa, Kenya and Botswana in Sub-Saharan Africa and is looking at other African countries to have Saab representation.
“Botswana has been selected as the third country in which to open an office due to its transparent business environment and solid business opportunities for various products in the Saab portfolio, “said Ahlqvist. Assembly of First Airbus A320neo Underway Airbus has started final assembly of the first A320neo at its Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse (France), with the join-up of the forward and aft fuselage sections which recently arrived from St. Nazaire in France and Hamburg in Germany respectively. Once this phase is completed, the next stage is the wing to fuselage join-up.
Overall it takes about one month to complete the final assembly of an A320 family aircraft. On average, every seven hours an A320 Family aircraft leaves one of the three A320 Family FALs in Toulouse, Hamburg, or Tianjin. The A320neo first flight will take place towards the end of the year and first delivery about a year later. The A320neo “new engine option” incorporates many innovations, including latest generation engines and large Shark let wing-tip devices, which together deliver 15 percent in fuel savings and a reduction of 3600 tones of Co2 per aircraft per year.
With a total of more than 2600 orders received from 50 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60% of the market. Two More Falcons Get the Nod for London City Dassaults Falcons 2000S and 2000LXS twin jets recently received approval to operate at one of the world’s most challenging airports, London City, located in the heart of Europe’s financial hub.
These latest approvals mean that Dassault is the only business jet manufacturer in the world to have its entire current production fleet certified to operate at London City. “The ability to operate at London City gives our operators an added measure of flexibility and a distinct advantage in their day-to-day operations,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Superior airport performance is at the centre of every Falcon that Dassault designs and builds.
The London City approvals Dassault has received for all of our current production aircraft are a clear example of this,” he said. The 3350 nautical mile range Falcon 2000S is Dassaults new entry-level jet .It offers short-field capability comparable to smaller midsize jets, but with performance and a superior level of cabin comfort. The 4000 nautical mile Falcon 2000LXS has the same cabin offerings, similar short-field capability, but with longer range. Both were certified in 2013. The Falcon 2000S AND Falcon 2000LXS can connect London City with all of Europe and most of the Middle East non-stop.
The Falcon 2000S can climb directly to 41000 feet in 19 minutes and can land at 95% of its maximum takeoff weight. Equipped with leading edge inboard slats, it can approach at a slow 107 knots and needs just 706 metres of runway to land. The 2000LXS features similar landing performance. Dassaults flagship, the Falcon 7X, previously received approval in 2009 and features the longest range of any aircraft out of London City Airport.
It can connect London City Airport with non-stop access to the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Manufacturers are striving hard to ensure they meet the demand of both business and commercial jet aircraft. Among the modification is on the cabin to ensure it has enough leg room and even turned into beds for the passengers comfort.
Also the jet aircraft manufacturers have ensured they jets have long range endurance and weather equipped to be able to fly in bad weather. The manufacturers are also ensuring the aircraft is cost effective by increasing the seating capacity so that the airfares can reduce and also the maintenance and the entire operational costs. Anthony A Juma is the Editor and Director Commercial and Flights Operations at Wings Over Africa Aviation Limited.
