Galaxy Makes U.S. Debut at NBAA

Ten months after its first flight and less than three months away from planned certification, the Israel Aircraft Industries Galaxy makes its U.S. premier at NBAA. The first production Galaxy, the third aircraft flown, is on display at McCarran.

"The presence of the Galaxy at NBAA, with certification so close at hand, is a tremendous success story," said Galaxy Aerospace president and CEO Brain E. Barents.

"This is a workhorse aircraft. The pace of the certification program has been nothing short of remarkable, and performance has been outstanding," he said.

Barents said there had been no unexpected downtime during flight test and the aircraft has performed "like a much more mature airplane, and this bodes well for the customer as it proves the design."

The Galaxy recently demonstrated its range with a nonstop hop across the Atlantic. On October 3, 1998, the aircraft shown here flew from Paris Le Bourget to White Plains, NY in nine hours and nine minutes. Flown at long-range cruise (0.75 Mach), the Galaxy completed some RVSM tests before proceeding on course. Once en route it encountered unexpected ATC delays and headwinds as high as 100 kt. Temperature en route climbed as high as ISA+15°C. The aircraft carried full fuel and ballast simulating four passengers and a complete interior. Total distance flown was 3,340 nmi, which represents a still-air range of 3,700 nmi.

"This flight demonstrates that the Galaxy will achieve its projected range of 3,620 nmi with IFR reserves. We could not be more pleased with this," said Barents.

When asked about the newly announced Bombardier Continental, Barents suggested, "It will be a Galaxy look-alike. This is a very competitive business. As you know, Raytheon has already announced their airplane and, no doubt, there will be others. This shows our market research was right on target."

"But we are reality," he added. "You can see ours. Theirs is three or four years away."

Questioned on cancellations and the possible effects from economic instability, Barents said there had been no cancellations to date.

"Our industry lives on a healthy economy and we have not seen any slowdown in North America. It is no secret that the Asian problems will have some effect, but we hope it will be minimal," Barents said. "We know the business is cyclical, but business today is built on the ability to be mobile and to travel."

Barents said Galaxy is in negotiations with an unnamed third party for fractional ownership and expects the program to be announced fairly soon. If the program does not evolve, Barents said Galaxy is ready to create its own fractional ownership program.

Dave Brandt, vice president of operations, highlighted some changes in the Galaxy numbers. Engineers uprated the Pratt & Whitney PW 306A engines from 5,700 pounds of thrust to 6,040 pounds at ISA+10°C. Takeoff distance at maximum weight has decreased from 6,040 feet to 5,900 feet. Maximum ramp weight has increased from 33,600 pounds to 35,000 pounds and fuel capacity has increased from 14,250 pounds to 15,000 pounds with additional space found in the wings and fuselage tank.

Maximum payload has increased from 4,500 pounds to 4,800 pounds. Landing distance at maximum landing weight has remained at 3,400 feet, and Barents said routine operations could be conducted with landing distances of less than 3,000 feet.

For hot-and-high performance, the Galaxy boasts the ability to lift eight people out of Aspen, CO at 74°F (ISA+24°C) and fly nonstop to New York. In the corporate shuttle configuration, the Galaxy can carry 18 executives 2,710 nm.

The flight test program has accumulated more than 600 hours over approximately 180 flights. During flight test, the Galaxy has flown at 46,000 feet, which is 1,000 feet higher than expected certification altitude. It has flown at 0.93 Mach, or 0.08 Mach higher than the planned Mmo of 0.85 Mach. It has completed required testing for RVSM certification and will be able to fly the Atlantic without altitude restrictions.

Several flight test programs are complete or nearly complete. Stall testing has been completed and stick shaker/pusher systems have been verified. Autopilot testing is complete and field performance testing is 90% complete. Post certification testing will include Category II operations. Officials expect to certificate the Galaxy with the FAA and Israel's CAII in December with JAA certification coming in early 1999.

Galaxy Aerospace has also announced G'STAT-Galaxy Spares and Technical Assistance Team. "In medical parlance STAT means immediate response and that's what this program will be all about," said Galaxy product support VP Mike Wuebbling.

A team from Galaxy will accompany deliveries and stay with the airplane for two weeks, reviewing operating, maintenance and warranty procedures. G'STAT also provides a service check at 150 hours after delivery at no cost to the customer. Regular inspection intervals for the Galaxy are set at 300 hours. This initial inspection will be used to make any adjustments necessary after the completion process.

The Galaxy price remains at $16.9 million, which Barents says is a flyaway price for an airplane capable of flying internationally. Barents would not disclose orders, but did note the company has a year and one-half backlog and expects to have a two-year backlog by the end of 1998. He said 22 Galaxies would be delivered by the end of 2000.