The Galaxy business jet arrived at the NBAA convention in Las Vegas with its certification program on track and a sold-out production line through 2000.

At a press conference, Galaxy executives were quick to point out that the promises they made in launching the new $16.9 million super midsize biz jet have been met. The aircraft is expected to be certified by the end of the year making it "the only super midsize intercontinental business jet available this century." The comment apparently referred to other new aircraft announced for the category including the Bombardier Continental Jet, announced the day before. Galaxy president and CEO Brian Barents expressed confidence in the company's competitive position saying Galaxy already has a 3 1/2 year to 4 year jump over Bombardier. The ex-Bombardier exec has some perspective on the market having served for seven years as the president and CEO of Learjet prior to assuming his current position.

Galaxy expects to announce more orders by the first of the year with a two-year backlog by that time based on a production of 22 airplanes per year.

Will the uncertain worldwide economy affect the company's fortunes? Barents doesn't think so. "Our industry lives and breathes on a healthy economy," said Barents, but Galaxy hasn't seen any slowdown. "Two-thirds of the market resides in North America, where the economic conditions continue to be healthy." In addition, Barents continued, "the industry has matured a lot in the last three years with corporations understanding the benefits of corporate aircraft. It's a different situation now." Part of that change has come from fractional ownership.

Both Executive Jet and Galaxy have said that they are talking about the new aircraft for Exec Jet's fractional ownership programs. In a separate interview Executive Jet chairman Richard Santulli said one concern is Galaxy's ability to provide support for their aircraft. Galaxy moved to assure all prospective owners as it announced a new support program at NBAA called G'STAT, short for Galaxy Spares & Technical Assistance Team. Galaxy will send a G'STAT team with each aircraft when delivered. The team, consisting of a pilot, regional field service representative and a maintenance technician, will stay with the new Galaxy operator for two weeks providing technical assistance for both pilots and maintenance staff.

While that may allay some concerns of single owners Executive Jet's concern relates more to Galaxy's single location in Fort Worth and the manufacturing facility at Israel Aircraft Industries in Tel Aviv. Exec Jet's fractional ownership programs pose unique requirements for support in contrast to single ownership.

Galaxy also announced that the company's new heaquarters in Fort Worth, Texas will be ready for occupancy in two months. The 165,000 square foot facility will house offices, a factory service center, a completions center and a parts distribution operation. Galaxy has contracted with Nordam to fabricate and integrate the entire interior of the new aircraft.

One performance footnote: during the course of development the Galaxy increased in weight over its projected specification due to increased structural reinforcements and interior enhancements. The additional weight required an attendant increase in thrust from the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306A powerplant. The bonus gained with the 340 lb. thrust gain was a slight decrease in takeoff field length, however.