MS760 Paris

JetSet Acquires MS760 Paris Jet Type Certificate

JetSet Aviation Holdings SAS, a subsidiary of JetSet International Ltd., is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with SOCATA for the purchase and transfer of the type certificate and associated rights for the world's first Very Light Jet (VLJ), the MS760 Paris Jet. Designed, manufactured and originally certified in France by aviation pioneer Morane-Saulnier (now SOCATA), the MS760 is a four-seat, twin-engine jet that cruises at 400 M.P.H. and has a range of 1,000 miles. The MS760 was awarded FAA Certification on July 3, 1958 and was introduced as the first business jet in North America by Beech Aircraft Corporation.

The type certificate will be licensed to MS760 Corp., which will provide engineering, sales and other related services for the MS760 platform. While the type certificate transfer is not expected until Q1 2010, MS760 Corp. has already acquired the manufacturer's drawings and tooling, spare parts and a fleet of over 30 MS760 aircraft.

"JetSet International Ltd. has long been interested in the MS760 potential in the VLJ and Personal Jet markets and remains committed to investing in the long term development of the MS760 platform," says Edward Furtak, president of JetSet. "In addition to investing in the acquisition of the type certificate from SOCATA, MS760 and its partners have invested in numerous engineering programs oriented toward updating the MS760, including a planned turbofan engine option."

A two-ship air show team, led by Captain Dale "Snort" Snodgrass, USN (Ret), has been announced to showcase the aerobatic and precision flight capabilities of the MS760, which is certified in the U.S. in the "Utility" category. "MS760 customers will be offered significant fuel discounts for their aircraft," says Mark A. Schneider, Esq., president of JetSet Global Fuel Inc. JetSet Global Fuel is the 2010 sponsor of the air show team.

The quality, reliability and performance characteristics of the MS760 have a well established history. "I'm thrilled to be the lead pilot for Team MS760. It's easy when you are given the keys to a machine that truly opens the envelope," says Captain Snodgrass. "The MS760 platform is a solid four-seat, IFR equipped aircraft with remarkable reliability and excellent flight capabilities."

A standard equipped MS760, with flight training and other special 2009 incentives included, will sell for approximately $550,000 US. Avionics upgrades, such as the Chelton, Avidyne and Garmin panels, are also available. Avionics purchase and airframe refurbishment completed in 2009 could qualify for 50 per cent bonus depreciation under the Economic Development Act of 2009.

JetSet ponders launch of stretched Paris Jet

JetSet Aviation - the US company that is resurrecting the 1950s Morane-Saulnier MS760 Paris Jet - is mulling the development of a stretched version of the four-seat twinjet based on its 40-year-old MS-760C Paris III stablemate.
Only one of the six-seat twin-engined aircraft was built by the French airframer before development was halted in the mid-1960s because of poor customer take-up. This aircraft is stored in a museum at Le Bourget airport in Paris.
"This aircraft will perfectly complement our line-up," says JetSet Aviation founder Edward Furtak. There is a great deal of demand for a small high-performance business jet and this would be ideal for both the private and commercial aviation communities.
JetSet acquired the type certificate for the Paris Jet from Daher Socata last month, along with tooling, engineering drawings, spare parts - including more than 60 of the aircraft's Turbomeca Marbore turbojets - and plans to relaunch production of the 55-year-old aircraft with Williams FJ44 turbofans or as a single-engined type powered by Pratt & Whitney JT15D-4s.
"Type certificate transfer is expected early next year. We will offer the re-engined version as a retrofit initially," says Furtak, adding that the company has not ruled out offering both versions "if demand is strong enough".
The aircraft will also be equipped with a Garmin G600 glass cockpit and synthetic vision system and will be sold for around $550,000. "We will announce our engine choice before the end of the year, when we will also firm up the pricing and performance specification for the retrofit aircraft," says Furtak. Preliminary specifications reveal a cruise speed of around 400kt (740km/h) and range of 2,590km (1,400nm).
JetSet has acquired 22 Paris Jets from the French air force and 10 aircraft from private owners and the Argentinian air force, which retired its Paris Jets in 2007. "We have orders for 16 of these aircraft already that we hope to firm up in the coming weeks," Furtak adds.
The first retrofitted aircraft will enter service within 18 months, he predicts, "when the market should be buoyant again". The new production aircraft are expected to enter service within three years and the company expects demand to exceed 150 aircraft a year. "We will probably outsource the parts manufacture, but may undertake final assembly ourselves - this has yet to be decided," says Furtak.
Meanwhile, JetSet will continue to support the Paris Jet and will establish marketing, engineering and support programmes to help sell and maintain the existing inventory. The company says it will offer an introductory trade-up programme, special fuel pricing and financing.