Another Gainful Airshow – TRJet Soars with Market Potential, flying VIPs from Ankara to Istanbul in TRJet 328 Aircraft for AIREX 2016
It’s not on the distant horizon; the future is taking shape now for Ankara-based aviation company TRJet with yet another lucrative airshow. TRJet participated in the 11th International Civil Aviation and Airports Exhibition, AIREX 2016, from October 6-9, 2016 as one of the event’s main sponsors. Within the exhibition, TRJet displayed a Dornier 328 32-passenger aircraft, and met with potential airlines and suppliers looking forward to the start of production for the comprehensively modernized TRJ328 and TRP328 aircraft. The Airshow symbolized an important milestone for the program as it marked the first demonstration flight of the 328 passenger aircraft transporting key Turkish officials from Ankara to Istanbul for the Opening Ceremony.
“Since our announcement, at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2016, regarding having reached an agreement on the principal terms of the contract, the final remaining details have now been agreed upon. We expect to start work imminently on the highly-anticipated Turkish-built aircraft,” said Mr. Fatih Ozmen, CEO of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and its Turkish subsidiary TRJet. He expressed that the Istanbul Airshow provided an “ideal’’ opportunity to introduce this project and its potential to increase regional commerce and trade which will also promote peace and prosperity. This historic opportunity is critical to create a global Turkish brand and to help establish a local industrial base to position the country among the top 10 industrialized economies.” At the Farnborough Airshow, Mr. Fatih Ozmen, underscored that market potential is tremendous for TRJet saying in a presentation that they “are excited about addressing a niche in the market, a regional passenger capacity category where there is no on-going production right now in the area that we are targeting.” He pointed out that all companies and partners involved are benefiting from the program, a winning scenario for all. Turkey’s first domestically produced civil aircraft are poised to meet the growing demand worldwide for aircraft in this size category. Accelerated growth in air travel throughout Europe, the Middle and the Far East, and also with the current fleet of regional aircraft aging and going out of operation, places TRJet and Turkish industry in an advantageous market position.
TRJet, a Driver for Turkish Aviation – Turkey’s Potential to be a Base for Global Aviation
“We are very proud to be here taking significant steps forward to support the growth of Turkey’s civil aviation industry, enhance its industrial base and contribute to a country with incredible potential,” added Mr. Fatih Ozmen. “This is only the start of something that will help change the face of Turkish aviation. This is a major milestone for our TRJet team and we look forward to breaking ground in Ankara soon.”
The program with the Turkish Government and TRJet paves the way toward the realization of Turkey’s first domestically designed, certified and produced commercial aircraft, TRJet’s larger new aircraft with an anticipated first flight in 2023 in honor of Turkey’s centennial. Design of the new aircraft will begin concurrently with production of the 32-seat TRJ328 and TRP328 in order to reduce the time-to-market and certification by more than half. This new aircraft will expand the industrial supplier base in country and establish TRJet as a global aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) as a trusted brand within the aviation market. TRJet will leverage the expertise that Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) brings to the table. TRJet will leverage TAI’s experience and success as a supplier to top-tier commercial aviation OEM to support the TRJ328 aircraft. Utilizing local subcontractors and vendors will result in a significant contribution to the local economy while continuing to develop Turkey’s flourishing civil aviation industry. Domestic aviation companies including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Aselsan, TEI, Havelsan, Alp Aviation, Kale Aviation, Turkish Cabin Interior Inc. (TCI), and others are expected to participate in the project in coordination with SNC and SSM in manufacturing of the subsystems of the aircraft, which will be produced in Turkey.
The Turkish Regional Aircraft Project will produce aircraft for multi mission requirements including regional transport, Medevac, Maritime Patrol, VIP and Special Missions.
At the recent Farnborough Airshow in July, Undersecretary for Defense Industries – Prof. Ismail Demir spoke at the SNC TRJet ceremony on behalf of the Turkish government, and he emphasized that “TRJet will also open new doors for these types of projects in Turkey; it is going to be a driver for Turkish aviation.”
328 Series Exceeds Expectations
TRJet’s 328 Series redefines the standards of regional aircraft. It is essentially an enhanced and technologically updated version of the acclaimed Dornier 328. The versatility of the Dornier 328 platform, the rugged capabilities and the multi-mission capability is highly desirable. These aircraft are ideal for making short-range flights more economic and sustainable, easily addressing the growing market need for commercial flights between small cities and underserved areas including those with unimproved runways. TRJet will ultimately produce and sell the TRJ328, as well as other variants, and will play an essential role in producing Turkey’s first indigenous passenger aircraft. Because of its multiple interior configuration options, the TRJ328 is also a highly desirable aircraft for corporate and VIP travel. It has a typical flight range of approximately 1,120 nautical miles (2,080 km) proving to be an efficient and cost-effective option for direct travel between small cities.
As the only civil certified aircraft of its kind with both a jet and turboprop variation, the aircraft provide flexibility for the customer to select the option that best fits their needs. The two most recent orders for the 328 Series announced at Farnborough Airshow confirm the strong market need for this versatile, multipurpose aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) will use a new version of the world-renowned PW127 turboprop engine to power TRJet’s new TRP328 turboprop aircraft. The PW127 is part of the PW100 family of engines. Rockwell Collins will collaborate with Turkish companies for production, support and training opportunities as a part of the TRJet project.
Liebherr-Aerospace will supply the complete air management system for TRJet’s 328 Series aircraft. The scope includes design and service of the bleed air system, precooling, cabin and cockpit environmental conditioning, as well as the pressurization system. TRJet signed a contract with Paderborn, Germany-based Heggemann AG to supply the Main Landing Gear (MLG) and Nose Landing Gear (NLG) for the company’s TRJ328 aircraft and TRP328 turboprop. The companies are set to leverage existing capabilities with technology and knowledge sharing with Germany and the U.S.
