Fokker Aviation has selected the Rolls-Royce Tay 620 engine for its proposed F28RE re-engineing programme, and is now entering final negotiations with the engine manufacturer.
The engine, which has been chosen over the BMW Rolls-Royce BR710 and General Electric CF34-8C, already powers the F28's successors, the Fokker 70 and 100. A small fuselage plug is required for the F28, forward of the wing, to offset the extra weight of the Tays. The re-engineing significantly improves the performance and economy of the F28, as well as bringing the aircraft's noise levels well within Stage 3/Chapter 3.
"With the engine selection made, we can now finalise the configuration of the conversion," says Lawrence Opbroek, F28RE programme manager. "We are still hopeful of a launch by mid-year, but this will depend on the market," he adds.
Fokker Aviation is planning a series of visits to prospective customers in the coming weeks.
Source: Flight International
