Carlo De Feo points to a press article on a new entrant to the aerial surveillance market making a show debut and says dismissively: "That's a toy – this is a real aircraft."
De Feo, president and chief executive of Vulcanair, refers to his company's P68 Observer aircraft, which is currently deployed in law enforcement and surveillance roles in the US with agencies such as the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
The affable Italian then turns to manning his company stand and hands over to son Remo to explain current Middle East marketing efforts for the P68 series and VF600 Mission single-engine turboprop.
"We have a proven platform on the P68 for multi-mission roles, which include border and pipeline patrol, search and rescue (SAR), anti-pollution surveillance and fishery protection," says the younger De Feo. He highlights the airborne tactical observation and surveillance system (ATOS) on display at the Vulcanair stand (E310) as an example of the aircraft's ability to accommodate a totally integrated and advanced surveillance system. The Galileo ATOS LW system can be tailored to meet any operational customer requirement by integrating the necessary sensors.
Demonstrations
The P68 Observer on static display at Dubai further highlights the aircraft's adaptation to niche roles, configured with pods for chemical dispersal as a cloud seeding aircraft.
De Feo says: "We will be talking to a number of regional law enforcement and customs officials during our first appearance at Dubai, and offering the aircraft for demonstration flights."
Vulcanair will also be announcing soon the appointment of a local representative to ramp up the ongoing efforts to market the P68 series, whose production has also been ramped up to 20-25 aircraft a year.
He also sees market potential for the VF600 Mission, which has undergone recent structural changes to widen its market appeal ahead of certification in March next year. The alterations, to enlarge the cargo door and add a co-pilot and passenger door, were introduced after customer feedback, but De Feo says the certification schedule is still on target.
The Walter M601F-11-powered Mission has been touted as a competitor to the legendary Cessna Caravan, but De Feo describes it, in modulated manner, as an "economic alternative", with a price tag that would deliver three aircraft for every two Caravans.
The aircraft will be offered with a standard interior initially and there are plans to outsource VIP cabin completions to a specialist subcontractor.
De Feo would not be drawn on potential orders for the Mission, saying that the company wanted to make sure it had a certifiable aircraft before starting to take orders.
Vulcanair will initially concentrate on the European market, where a number of operators are evaluating the aircraft. After delivery of the first aircraft Vulcanair plans to take a demonstrator to the USA, where it will target large fleet operators which it believes will be attracted to the Mission for its low operating costs and a price tag of less than $1 million.
Source: Flight Daily News
