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A new aircraft still in the experimental stage, the Leopard is a small biz-jet in the Citation Jet / SJ.30 / Vision Vantage class. This photo was taken at Farnborough and is one of the two prototypes built so far. The programme has been running a number of years now with what seems like little progress - another British aircraft design to never make it into the production phase ? |
HFB.320 HANSA JET
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An aircraft built for the West German military primarily. Only 40 odd were built and many have now been scrapped, retired or reside in museums. This example was pictured at Opa Locka a number of years ago. The Hansa Jet looks similar to the Paris but the formers rear mounted engines help identify it. |
MS.760 PARIS
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Again, an aircraft built primarily for the military - this time the French AF. 36 examples were built under license in Argentina by FMA. A few were sold to the civilian market but very few remain airworthy today. The Paris looks similar to the Hansa Jet but the wing-root engines help distinguish it. |
PIAGGIO PD.808
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Very few PD.808's were built - just 24 - and of those remaining, most are operated by the Italian Air Force. Not surprisingly, PD-808's are very rare in UK skies with Northolt and the IAT at Fairford being probably the only chances to see them. Looking a bit like a Citation 1, the rounded nose, "bubble" cockpit and wing tip-tanks can help identify the PD.808. The c/n plate on a PD.808 can usually be found just behind the wing on the door side of the aircraft. |
RAYTHEON 390 PREMIER 1
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The Premier 1 has recently entered full production and is a small biz-jet in the Citation Jet / SJ.30 / Vision Vantage class. This photo was taken at Ft.Myers during the run-up to Superbowl 2001 - the aircraft was presumably on some sort of test flight. |
SN.601CORVETTE
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Only 41 Corvette's were built but they can be seen fairly regularly in the UK as a number fly as "hacks" for Aerospatiale. Looking like a Falcon 10/20, the Corvette's tip-tanks and 5 well spaced round windows are the identifying features to look for. |
SWEARINGEN SJ-30
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Another contender in the "mini" biz-jet market, the SJ.30 has again been a long time in the development stage. Orders are understood to be good and full production is due to start imminently. The SJ.30's tall, narrow windows are its most easily recognised feature. |
Other new biz-jets soon to take their place in the marketplace
are the:
Cessna Sovereign - first flight 2002
Embraer Legacy - a biz-jet version of the EMB-135
Fairchild Envoy 7 - first flight mid 2002
Raytheon Horizon - first flight late 2001
Raytheon Hawker 450 - in service 2006
Visionaire Vantage
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