Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)has narrowed its choice of new flight-inspection aircraft down to the de Havilland Dash 8-300 and Saab 2000, and expects to make its final selection on 13 February. The Japanese require five aircraft to replace six elderly Nihon YS-11 turboprops. Plans call for first two flight-calibration aircraft to be ordered in March and delivered to the JCAB in December 1998. Its evaluation of other aircraft had included the AI(R)) ATR 42-500. Saab is offering the 2000 with Gull Electronic avionics: the Dash 8-300 is offered with Aerodata Instrument equipment.
Source: Flight International
