Fairchild Dornier expects an annual market for as many as 16 of the corporate version of its 32-seat 328JET regional aircraft.
The company launched the executive aircraft project at the NBAA show (Flight International, 24-30 September).
No orders are yet in hand, but the first Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306B-powered 328JET in the executive configuration is expected to have its maiden flight in January 1998. Customer deliveries could begin in June 1999.
There is little difference between the regional aircraft and the business jet, but the latter's range will be extended from 2,400km (1,300nm) in the airline version to 3,700km with ten passengers. Extra fuel in the wings and fuselage main gear area will provide the increased range. The aircraft will cruise at 400kt (740km/h).
Marketing and sales chief Andy Janpolar says that the company expects to continue to sell several of the original turboprop aircraft each year as corporate shuttles.
The first 328JET in airline configuration will be rolled out in December. French regional carrier Proteus Airlines and US-based Aspen Mountain Air/Lone Star are the launch customers.
Source: Flight International
