Magazin "take off" - Issue 4 - FACC

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F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E Fairchild Aerospace Fairchild Aerospace: A German-American Company on the Move Carl Albert Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Fairchild Aerospace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carl A. Albert acquired Fairchild Aircraft in 1990. Prior to his acquisition, Albert provided venture capital to Wings West Airlines, a California regional commuter airline, formed in 1981. Albert’s business experience includes 15 years as an attorney, specializing in business and corporate law in Los Angeles, California, from 1967 through 1981. He also has served as a member of the board of directors of several publicly held and private corporations. The histories of Fairchild Aerospace, Fairchild Aircraft and Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH have involved revolutionary changes to meet the demands of the growing aircraft industry through the years. Fairchild Aerospace Corporation took flight in June 1996, when Fairchild Aircraft of San Antonio, Texas, USA acquired Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH of Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich, Germany. Since the day these two takeoff10 companies joined forces, Fairchild Aerospace has cut costs and increased sales and profits. With the dedication of a dynamic management team and a highly qualified and enthusiastic workforce, Fairchild Aerospace has strengthened its balance sheet and introduced a pace-setting product line that responds precisely to the growing requirements and preferences of airlines, corporate customers and passengers worldwide. Fairchild Aircraft began manufacturing the Metroliner aircraft in the 1970s. The Metro is a small, 19-seat turboprop that played a major role in the first years after deregulation. During that time, the Metro replaced unpressurized, 15- to 17-seat airplanes, creating the basis upon which some of today’s most profitable and successful regional airlines started. Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH was formed in 1922 by the late Professor Claude Dornier. The Dornier company has been recognized as an aviation pioneer and a leader in aircraft manufacturing, service and support for more than 75 years. Dornier introduced the Flying Boat, its first aircraft, in 1922. Acquired by Daimler Benz in 1985, the company invested $1 billion in the development of the dornier 328 turboprop. Though it was one of the most quiet and fast turboprops in the world, the aircraft came too late to a market already saturated with turboprop aircraft, and to a market that was fast losing interest in anything but jets. Carl Albert knew that the Dornier 328 turboprob was the best turboprop in its class. It was a well-engineered, spacious aircraft. However, he knew the market was changing. Albert concluded that by converting the 328 turboprop to a jet would revolutionize the market. Thus came the birth of the 328JET, the first regional aircraft in the 32- to 34-seat jet market, a program that was accomplished in a little over a year’s time and for a cost of less than $100 million. Fairchild Aerospace launched the 328JET program with the vision to identify future market trends and resources to support development. In February 1997, the company announced that the jet would roll out on December 6, 1997 and make its first flight January 20, 1998. Fairchild achieved both milestones. Currently in flight test, the 328JET will enter airline service in the spring of 1999. The 328JET will be the first regional jet in the 30-seat jet class. The company estimates that operators worldwide will
F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E provide an additional 10 seats and low incremental operating cost to make it a logical addition to airline fleets with a family of aircraft in the 32to 42-seat size category. In addition to the 328JET and 428JET, Fairchild Aerospace is creating the 528JET, 728JET and 928JET aircraft. This production of an all-new, wide-body, low-wing aircraft, starting with the 70-seat 728JET, will set the standard for comfort in the industry. Most importantly, high commonality between the 55-seat 528JET, the 70- to 75 seat 728JET and the 90- to 95-seat 928JET will reduce operating costs of the airlines that operate this family of aircraft. The 728JET family is believed to be the aircraft that will change the industry. Development of the 428JET, 528JET, 728JET has already begun. These large-cabin aircraft are hailed as the first true regional jets in their seat categories ranging from 44 to 98 seats. Today, the company is investing more than $1 million per month in research and development for its regional airliner program. Total program cost, with risk-sharing partners, will run approximately $850 million. "We intend to invest a billion dollars in this 728 family, including research and development, tooling and working capital," said Albert. Fairchild Aerospace also has entered the business aircraft market with the Envoy 3, 4 and 7, which offer the industry’s most spacious cabins for the price. These business jets bring an unprecedented level of reliability to the fast-paced corporate market. Precise German engineering will enable the Envoy 3 and Envoy 4 to outshine their rivals. Entering service in 1999, the Envoy 3 is truly revolutionary. It offers the cabin comfort of large jets and the economics of mid-size jets. The Envoy 4 will enter service in 2001, providing its travelers with the advantage of the Envoy 3, with an 11-foot longer cabin. Fairchild Aerospace’s latest response to needs of the corporate market is the visionary Envoy 5, 7 and 9 family. The first of the family to enter service in 2001 will be the Envoy 7, offering vast cabin space, superior performance and low operating costs. The Envoy 5 will enter the market in 2002 as the most modern aircraft with the lowest acquisition and widest cabin for its price. The Envoy 9 is scheduled to enter service in 2003, designed to be the roomiest and most affordable business jet ever created. Fairchild Aerospace is the only aircraft manufacturer that comprises an equal partnership of American management and German engineering and manufacturing expertise, with independent assembly facilities on both sides of the Atlantic. Manufacturing of all aircraft, except for wing assembly, will be accomplished at the Oberpfaffenhofen facilities near Munich, Germany. "German engineering is synonymous with quality," said Albert. "I take a great deal of comfort from the fact that German engineers are designing our aircraft. They are the best engineers in the world, and they will do their work in an efficient manner. Since the acquisition of Fairchild Aircraft in 1990, and Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH Dornier is a valued customer of FACC for many years. Following components are manufactured by FACC and supplied to the Do328 line: - Cargo compartment liners - Cockpit-liners - Toilet in 1996, Fairchild Aerospace has created jobs in both the United States and Germany. Compared to the 150 people employed within the company when Carl Albert acquired it in 1990. Fairchild Aerospace now employs approximately 2,800 personnel worldwide, with nearly 2,000 residing in Germany and more than 800 residing in the United States. "When our new family of aircraft is in production, our employment will increase to more than 4,000," added Albert. 11 takeoff
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Magazin "take off" - Issue 4 - FACC

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