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.

FMI: www.50dash4.com