Singapore -- Fairchild Aerospace is developing improvements to boost altitude, range and payload of the 328JET and its corporate derivative, the Envoy 3.

The company is in the final stages of certifying the 328JET for operations up to 35,000 feet-a 4,000-foot increase in service ceiling that will provide significant reductions in fuel consumption and offer greater flexibility for operators seeking longer range operations.

Concurrently, at Fairchild's Oberfaffenhofen, Germany facility, final assembly is under way of the first increased-payload 328JET, which will be delivered to Delta Air Lines connection operator Atlantic Coast Jet in April. It provides operators with nearly 900 pounds additional payload.

Third of the planned upgrades is trial installation of optional extended-range tanks for the Envoy 3, with flight testing scheduled for the spring, and certification this summer. The extended-range tanks will increase the Envoy 3's range to 2,000 nmi.

Fairchild Aerospace recently received certification of a new dual high frequency communications system, and is developing a dual FMS installation, fatigue life monitoring, increased-parameter FDR and Class C equipment for the baggage compartment. Optional Cat. II ILS certification is scheduled for certification in time for the first Atlantic Coast Jet delivery.