Fairchild Dornier announced twin orders for 328JETS from European customers yesterday. Croatian start-up carrier Air Adriatic has signed an agreement for two aircraft to be delivered in mid-2001.Vienna-based Grossman Air Service also signed a contract for a 328JET, which is to be fitted with a quick-change interior, allowing the aircraft to convert from a 32-seat regional aircraft to a 16-seat corporate jet. Delivery of this quick-change aircraft is due at the end of this year.
Thirty 328JETs have so far been delivered: five each to Milan-based Gandalf Airlines, the US' Midwest Express Connection carrier Skyway Airlines, and Delta Connection carrier ACJet. China's Hainan Airlines has taken delivery of another seven, with the remaining eight aircraft distributed among a further seven carriers.
The aircraft will be 30.96m (101ft 7in) long, 9.97m (32ft 9in) tall and will be powered by two CF34-10D engines, each with around 76kN (17,000lb) thrust.
Fairchild Dornier chief operating officer John Wolf says the aircraft is not simply a 728JET stretch, and adds: "We looked at a simple stretch and, at the other extreme, looked at a growth version, and ended up with something in the middle."
But he states commonality has remained an important consideration in the design. He says: "While we've made changes, we remain true to our original family concept."
Like the 728JET, the 928JET will use the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics system, as well as other 728JET subsystems such as the BFGoodrich landing gear, Hamilton Sundstrand electric systems and Honeywell auxiliary power unit. Spanish manufacturer CASA is expected to produce the wing and empennage control surfaces.
Design of the 928JET will absorb adjustments that Fairchild Dornier is now making to the 728JET, development of which has been delayed while the manufacturer carries out aerodynamic and cabin changes for launch customer Lufthansa CityLine.
These adjustments have pushed the 728JET's planned service entry back to mid-2003, although Fairchild Dornier chairman and CEO Chuck Pieper says: "The development schedule is now proceeding as planned." The 928JET is projected to have a range of 2,824km (1,527nm), increasing to 3,561km (1,925nm) for an extended range version. Cruising speed will be M0.8 at 33,000ft.It will have a maximum take-off weight of around 47,500kg (104,800lb), and will carry a maximum payload of 11,750kg (25,900lb). Take-off distance will be around 6,200ft, with landing distance around 4,700ft.Interior cabin width will be 3.25m (128in), with typical five-abreast configurations of 110 seats at 77.5cm (31in) pitch or 100 seats at 80cm (32in) pitch. Fairchild Dornier is also studying a two-class layout, replacing 55 seats in the latter configuration with 40 four-abreast seats at 82.5cm (33in) pitch.
First flight of the 928JET is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2003, with service entry forecast for the first quarter of 2005.The manufacturer received its first order for the 928JET in June this year, when German lessor Bavaria Aircraft Leasing placed an order for four plus options on two more.
Source: Flight Daily News
