Dassault Falcon 50 operators soon will be able to boost the performance of their aircraft for a third of the expense of converting them to Falcon 50-40s. East Alton, Illinois-based Premier Air Center (Booth 833) and Rye, New Hampshire-based Yankee Pacific Group have teamed up to form Premier Aircraft LLC, a joint venture that will fit Dassault Falcon 50s with Honeywell TFE731-4 turbofans. The engines aren't replaced. Instead, they're taken off the aircraft and sent to Honeywell in Phoenix where they're transformed into –4 powerplants with upgraded fans, low-pressure compressors and hot sections.
The conversion is almost plug-and-play compatible. The –4 engines fit the Falcon 50's existing nacelles and engine mounts with no modifications. Only the engine gauges must be remarked with higher rpm and temp limits. The conversion kit is compatible with both EFIS and electro-mechanical instruments. No airframe system changes are required, but the trio of –4 engines adds 240 pounds to empty aircraft weight.
The 50Dash4 conversion is priced at $2-2.5-million, not including MSP credits. If a customer's –3 engines are close to a major inspection, MSP credits will reduce the conversion cost substantially. Fitted with –4 turbofans, the 50Dash4 will provide significantly improved hot-and-high airport performance, quicker climb times, higher cruise altitudes and speeds, and longer range. It also will reduce pilot workload because the –4 engines are fitted with N1-referenced DEECs. MSP rates go down, as well, in comparison to fees paid for –3 engines.
Premier Aircraft LLC already has purchased Falcon 50 s/n 028 that will be used to obtain the STC. Flight-testing is slated to being first quarter 2005, subject to the jv signing up at least 10 customers. Target date for the STC is fourth quarter 2005. Launch customers will be entitled to incentive pricing. The conversion process will take an estimated six weeks from start to finish. Loaner engines will be available for customers who can't afford that much downtime, though Premier Air Center points out that the six-week period is an ideal time to perform major maintenance inspections, upgrade avionics or freshen-up paint and interior.
The 50Dash4 comes with a three-year/1,800-hour engine warranty. For more information, contact Jim Swehla at Premier Air Center at 800.922.2421 or visit the website at www.premierair.com.
