Formally unveiled Tuesday, the cabin of the Fairchild Envoy 7 displays the latest nuance in the rapidly developing theme of the airliner-cum-bizjet. Based on the as-yet unflown, 75-seat 728JET, the Envoy 7 was launched at last year's NBAA Convention in Las Vegas.

"Walking through this cabin gives you a true feeling of spaciousness," said Fairchild executive VP Barry Eccleston. "We designed the cabin primarily with productivity and comfort in mind." That is hardly surprising, as the 60 x 10-foot floor space now accommodates a mere 18 passengers, offering them almost 7 feet of headroom.

Hailed as having the largest cabin in the price range, the Envoy 7 has flexible arrangements, including separate areas for a conference room, seating area and a stateroom with queen-size bed and stand-up shower.

With a low wing mounting a pair of podded, 13,300-pounds-thrust General Electric CF34-8D3 turbofans, the Envoy 7 is claimed to need a shorter runway than other airliner-based business jets. Range is 4,150 nmi, sufficient to cross the U.S. or fly from an East Coast airfield to Zurich or Rome.

At the 1997 convention in Dallas, Fairchild announced the smaller Envoy 3, also being promoted at this year's show. Derived in the same manner as its big brother, the aircraft comes from an entirely different airplane: the high-wing, 6,050 pounds-thrust PW306B-powered 328JET. Just entering airline service, the 328JET is derived from the turboprop Dornier 328. Envoy 3 also offers short-field performance, but range is 2,000 nmi.

Demand for the Envoy 7 has been brisk, with orders currently totaling 28. Deliveries begin in 2002, alongside the regional airliner.

By Paul Jackson