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Old 31st Jan 2003, 18:46
  #276 (permalink)  
zalt
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
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ChopperIMC

This week's Flight says that the 15 seat D is tentatively targeted for 2006, and that an major upgrade to the C announced in 2001 has been put off and may only feature an engine uprate.

One alleged reason suggested (other than a recent pick up in C+ sales) being that delays in the AB139 programme reduce the need for an upgrade in the short term.

But as the 139 got its FAA TIA (that allows FAA flight tests) only a few months behind the S-92, their entry into service (due early 2004 - same time frame as the 92) implies that suggestion may be marketing spin.

I suspect the real causes are the recent job losses at SAC plus the delivery of the first S-92 to Cougar being pushed a year later than originally announced (due to the tail redesign) have jointly eliminated the necessary design resource.
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