By Kate Sarsfield in London
Spectrum Aviation Europe, the Luxembourg-based subsidiary of US light-jet developer Spectrum Aeronautical, is poised to announce its first customers for the Spectrum 33 as demand for the eight-seat aircraft grows on the continent from a clutch of air-taxi operators under development.
Stefano Sturlese, chief executive of Spectrum Europe, says the aircraft has been well received across the continent. “We are in negotiations with around half a dozen fleet customers at the moment and based on current demand the region could account for around half of the anticipated production.” Sturlese adds: “We anticipate around 70% of our customers will be classic charter companies, 20% [per-seat-on-demand] air taxi/fleet operators and 10% owner pilots.”
A “large fleet order” is believed to have been placed by an undisclosed European air-taxi operator, which could be launched as early as the National Business Aviation Association convention in October.
If the order tally from Europe is strong enough, Spectrum may pursue a parallel US and European certification effort, although a target figure has not yet been set. US certification of the $3.65 million Williams FJ33-powered Spectrum 33 is scheduled for 2008. To support the anticipated numbers of aircraft in Europe, Spectrum is establishing a regional support network across the continent.
“We are finalising our plans with a European partner who will offer marketing, training and customer support. We will also have a number of local agreements in place,” Sturlese says. The company is also close to securing similar partnerships in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, Sturlese says.
Source: Flight International
