Wentworth Affiliates, who took part in the first Business Aircraft Park at Farnborough 2004 are returning this year. Company president Wendy Bierwirth told EBAN: "After the great results we had from the last show, we're excited about Farnborough 2006, which looks to be the biggest ever.

"The wave of recent vip airliner conversions is likely to continue due to globalisation and long lead-times for the Boeing Business Jet."

Wentworth Affiliates will be exhibiting with Jetran International owned by Douglas Jaffe. Its team includes Rick Roseman of RWR Design. Bierwirth said: "We'll be available to discuss all aspects of vip converions, from mission analysis, design, outfitting costs, to financing."

The company will be located at Jetran International's Super 27-100, a re-engined Boeing 727 often dubbed the "Helmsley aircraft" for its former owner. It will be located at Delta Static on the western end of the park.

The Super 27 modification replaces the 727's outer engines with the MD-80's Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200-series turbofans, reduc-ing operating costs and noise and enhancing performance and range.

Jetran has developed a Stage 4 upgrade for the Super 27 that includes the Quiet Wing modification. High and low gross weight versions are also available for the 727-200.

Jetran has additionally dev-eloped a Stage 4 upgrade for the MD 80. Its Super Q MD-80, will be nearby displaying the kit hardware.

Douglas Jaffe has a number of interests at Farnborough. Wendy Bierwirth explained. "It will be a busy show for Mr. Jaffe, who was one of the original investors in the Sino Swearingen SJ30 light jet and takes delivery of the first customer SJ30, s/n 006, in June. The aircraft, which will be used for customer training and demonstration flights, will be on display in another section of the static display.

The SJ30's fuel burn, he told me, is of 340 litres/h (90USgal/h) - half that of his Learjet, with enough range for him to fly to either coast from San Antonio on fuel from his local fuel farm."

London Luton-based Action Aviation has reported 22 orders for the Sino Swearingen SJ30, long range, high-performance, light business jet from Switzerland, Benelux, Italy, the UK and Ireland and Kazakhstan.

Sales director Mike Creed says: "We see a growing market for private aircraft owners trading up from piston-engined, smaller aircraft."

Farnborough Air Show coincides with the delivery of the first production aircraft to a US customer - Douglas Jaffe of Jetran International. European EASA certification, meanwhile, is on track for the first quarter of 2007.