Fairchild Dornier claims to have secured an Asian launch customer for two improved short-field performance 328-130 turboprops, scheduled for delivery in early 1998.
Although neither the manufacturer nor the airline will officially confirm it, the launch customer for the new variant is believed to be Taiwan Airlines. Sources close to the negotiations confirm that a contract has been signed for two aircraft, to be delivered in the second half of 1998. The Taipei-based domestic operator, however, says that it plans to add two 30- to 40-seat aircraft to its fleet in 1998.
Fairchild Downier says that it hopes to receive German Federal Aviation Office certification for the 328-130 version by February 1998 and deliver the first aircraft shortly afterwards. The 30- to 34-seat aircraft has been modified for short take-off and landings from restricted airfields.
The -130 is equipped with an enhanced rudder-deflection system, ground spoilers and a 20 flap setting for take-off. It is powered by 1,624kW (2,180shp) Part & Whitney PW119C turboprops - the same type which powers the 328-120 - offering 5% greater thermodynamic power for hot-and-high operating conditions.
With a maximum take-off weight of 13,990kg, the -130 has a minimum take-off field length of 995m (3,270ft), compared to 1,090m for the standard -110. Landing length at maximum landing weight has also been cut, to 920m from 1,000m.
This is Fairchild Dormer's second attempt to place an aircraft with a Taiwan carrier. The manufacturer had earlier sold a similarly modified improved performance version of the -110 to Formosa Airlines in 1994.
The proposed five-aircraft deal fell through after the Taiwanese authorities refused to certificate the turboprop for operations from the notorious 890m-long runway on the offshore island of Mats (Flight International, 17-23 April 1996, P14).
Source: Flight International
