Aero Services Executive has another Falcon 20 available for charter, thanks to one of the company’s existing private owners. And this is no ordinary Falcon 20. The aircraft is retrofitted with a brand new

Falcon 2000 cockpit, and is believed to be the first Falcon 20 ever to undergo such a retrofit.

Speaking at the company’s EBACE booth, marketing manager Jean Rabourdin told EBAN: “We already manage a Falcon 20 retrofit aircraft with dash 5 engines; this has been in the fleet for two to three years. The company which owns this 10-seat aircraft has also purchased the most recent one.

“The combination of dash 5 engine retrofit and Falcon 2000 cockpit will provide this aircraft with longer range, noise reduction, comfort, safety and compatibility with new regulations on European flights.”

While most of the new aircraft’s flights will be within European borders, Rabourdin says its range will mean it is occasionally tested beyond. He said: “With up to five hours flying time available, we expect to fly also to North Africa and to Middle Eastern cities such as Cairo, Tel Aviv, Beirut and Damascus.

“The Falcon 20 has been very popular in France for many years and there is a good customer network in Europe for this aircraft type. It also has a lot of admirers outside France, for example among the English.”

Further to ASE’s Falcon news, the company says progress on its ACJ is coming along nicely. Following completion at Sogerma’s facility in Toulouse, it is due to make its static debut at the Paris Air Show.

Said Rabourdin: “We have already made many contacts with regard to this aircraft.

“We also expect to make a lot of government flights. The French government has ordered two ACJs; the delivery of the first one is scheduled for next year and the second the year after. So in between, we will probably have some trips to prepare for the French government, and obviously the market of the corporate shuttle will provide most flight hours for this plane.

“By September 2001, a shuttle service could well be in place.”