On September 19-21, the 2nd International Business Aviation Exhibition JET EXPO 2007 took place in Moscow. There were 133 participating companies from 18 countries.
Caviar and helicopters
Apart from aircraft manufacturers, the ranks of JET EXPO 2007 participants included Russian and foreign business airlines, brokers, maintenance providers and catering companies ready to supply whatever delicacy the clients may wish to have on board, from lobsters to caviar. Plus insurance companies, equipment suppliers and the biggest training and service centres.
The public could also see and "feel" helicopters made by the best-known manufacturers. Eurocopter Vostok presented its EC130 B4 business helicopter in corporate configuration. Augusta Westland, a first-time participant, "flew over" in its A109 Power machine. Gals helicopter company demonstrated MD 500 series, and Aerosoyuz presented Robinson-44.
Business parade
But of course the public was most interested in products of the leaders of world business aircraft construction participating in JET EXPO. And they did have something to show this year. For example, the show provided a venue for the Russian premiere of Cessna Citation Mustang: visitors could take a good look at the new machine at the static exposition at Vnukovo-3 airport. It's the first Very Light Jet to get type certification both in the USA and Europe. In addition to this "baby", Cessna Aircraft presented several models of the extremely popular Citation line: Cessna Citation Sovereign, Cessna Citation X, Cessna Citation XLS.
Another interesting exhibit on display in Vnukovo was the smallest and youngest of Airbus corporate jets, A-318 Elite.
Bombardier Aerospace presented its jet aircraft. Bombardier Global Express XRS (mass production began in October, 2003) is an intercontinental business jet designed for super-long flights. Challenger 605 (flies since January, 2007) is equipped with the most advanced instruments and avionics. Challenger 850 is an aircraft for top officials and executives.
One of the new products presented in Moscow by Brazilian Embraer company was Legacy 600. French manufacturer Dassault Aviation brought over its two mainline mass-produced models, Falcon 900 and Falcon 2000 IX - and the upgraded version of the company's firstling, Falcon 20-5 jet.
Gulfstream's top shows
Gulfstream Aerospace brought two aircraft to the show's parking lot. We've already covered the mid-range G200, but presentation of the long-range Gulfstream G450 business jet was a truly prominent event.
Actually, if you track down the history of G450 it turns out the jet is a successor to the GIV series, which had been manufactured for more than 17 years and acquired an excellent reputation. The new jets are different from the 4th series by new avionics, additional systems which make it possible to fly in any weather, and the new luxurious interior.
And of course it has the upgraded Tau 611-8C Rolls Royce engines, which combined with improved aerodynamics and new materials gave Gulfstream G450 the increased range needed to fly, say, from Dallas to Paris on a hot day with 8 passengers aboard. With these engines G450 climbs to 12.500 m in just 23 minutes. And FADEC control system allows the engines to work with maximum efficiency, while improved fan and enhanced turbine increase fuel efficiency. Note also that the aircraft's maximum range is 8.210 kilometres, its cruising speed is 0.80 Mach or 850 kmph and it needs a runway of 1661/994 m for take off/landing (respectively), so the jet can be used at small airfields or in mountainous terrain.
So if a while ago business jet manufacturers brought their new products to Switzerland (the EBACE show) or North America (the NBAA exhibition), these days Moscow also became one of their regular international exhibition venues.
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