LITE LEARJET
Raisbeck Engineering has completed US Federal Aviation Administration flight certification of its ZR LITE drag reduction modifications for the Bombardier Learjet 31 series, changes it says will yield up to 12% in fuel savings. The company expects full FAA certification this month, with first production ZR LITE systems to be delivered in kit form in January. Initial kit price will be under $100,000, excluding installation and painting.
PRIVATAIR 787
PrivatAir has confirmed an order for a Boeing 787-8, becoming the first business aviation services provider to purchase the widebody. PrivatAir is evaluating the two engine options, the General Electric GEnx and the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.
BROADBAND LINK
Arinc Direct and Starling Advanced Communication have teamed to provide a fully integrated broadband internet system that uses Arinc's SkyLink service and Starling's compact fuselage mounted Ku-band antennas. Previous SkyLink installations required aircraft to use a tail-mounted antenna, a factor that limited sales to larger business aircraft. The companies say the smaller, fuselage-mounted antennas will open up the market to thousands of large and medium-sized business jets.
G150 telephones
Gulfstream has selected International Communications to supply its Iridium satellite systems as standard equipment on the G150 business jet. The aircraft will be fitted with ICG's ICS-200 dual-channel Iridium satellite phones, providing two-way air-to-ground voice, fax and data connections globally. The system uses a small omni-directional passive antenna.
BODY GUARDS
UK executive jet operator Club328 has signed a deal with European security provider Veritas International Consultants to provide chaperones for some of its high-profile customers.
Source: Flight International
