Business & Commercial Aviation News from October 1965

Four NASA Grumman Gulfstreams are used at space centers in Texas, Alabama and Florida, and are based at Air Force facilities in those areas. The U.S. corporate fleet is the largest and most varied of "business" flight operations. The 350 airplanes that make up the government's list of aircraft fight fires and carry presidents — all in a day's work.

The Comanche 400 test bed for AiResearch TPE 331 turboprop engine is now in early phase of extended flight test program. Powered by 605 eshp engine, the airplane, which is unmodified aft of the firewall, hits 275 mph at cruise power at 20,000 ft.

Piper's Navajo, the 6-8 place PA-31, will cost "well under $100,000" and is undergoing accelerated flight tests. Deliveries should start in mid-1966. Production models will have more streamlined nacelles and 10 windows.

In viewing that Hansa jet production line, we noted a single row of vortex generators on the upper wing in front of each aileron. First cerfitication tests are well underway, with fatigue life proved to meet FAA standards (20,000 flights, 7-8 years operation), but with Hansa water testing components to five times that amount.

"More than any other airplane, Grumman's Gulfstream symbolizes modern corporate aviation," BCA said. "Unlike her many military surplus piston-powered predecessors, the G159 was built specifically as a business transport. Likewise, in contrast to the glamorous "biz jets," the Gulfstream can boast six years and millions of miles of operating experience as well as walk-around room and short field performance, two items the jets traded off for speed."

VFCR: Very Fast Conference Room. "The Fan Jet Falcon can fly as many as 10 of your key men wherever you want, whenever you want. And they can work or confer in first class silence and comfort all the way," the ad reads.