Two Jets Sporting Engine Upgrades On Static Display
Premier Aircraft will publicly display for the first time its
50Dash4 Performance Upgrade for the Falcon 50 business jet at the
60th annual convention of the National Business Aviation
Association (NBAA) in Atlanta.
Premier Aircraft, LLC -- which, as ANN reported, obtained an
FAA STC for the 50Dash4 upgrade in January of this year -- has two
newly upgraded Falcon 50s available for inspection at NBAA's static
display.
The 50Dash4 Performance Upgrade gives the Falcon 50 greater
range/payload, shorter time to climb, higher initial cruise
altitude and reduced runway requirements from high/hot or short/hot
airports.
Due to significant European interest, Premier Aircraft has also
applied for EASA certification, expected in the fourth quarter of
this year.
The STC provides for the installation of TFE-731-4-1C engines,
converted by Honeywell from their original TFE-731 3/3D
configuration, and includes installation of new exhaust nozzles and
modifications to the Falcon 50 nacelles and engine instruments. To
date, five upgrades have been ordered, with three delivered. All
installations to date have been accomplished by West Star
Aviation.
The aircraft on display at NBAA are Falcon 50s s/n 094, newly
delivered to owner/operator Chick-fil-A, and s/n 170, which is
owned by Yankee Pacific Aerospace and available for purchase.
Chick-fil-A will display s/n 094 at
West Star Aviation's static display space #39 while s/n 170 may be
viewed at Jet Effect's static display space #18. In addition to the
50Dash4 upgrade, both aircraft benefit from a new 'widebody-look'
interior, and custom exterior paint.
"When compared with the 50EX and 50-40 powered aircraft, the
50Dash4 gave us increased performance at an acceptable price, and
the Pro Line 21 avionics package was comparable to the avionics in
our other aircraft," says Bob Boston, Chief Pilot, Chick-fil-A.
"Premier offered superior service, a wonderful product and they did
it all within budget and on time."
The Chick-fil-A upgraded aircraft includes a new Collins Pro
Line 21 avionics package including LCD glass displays, AHARS, dual
FMS, radar, autopilot, radios, air data computers, dual file server
units, and cockpit refurbishment. The Yankee Pacific aircraft
retains its Collins APS85/EFIS86 digital autopilot and avionics
suite.