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BAE and Design Q unveil ABJ Fusion concept

Oct. 20, 2010, Atlanta, Ga. – BAE Systems and leading U.K. design consultancy Design Q today unveiled their latest concept for the Avro Business Jet (ABJ) at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual General Meeting and Convention in Atlanta.


October 20, 2010  By Wings Magazine

Oct. 20, 2010, Atlanta, Ga. – BAE Systems and leading U.K. design consultancy Design Q today unveiled their latest concept for the Avro Business Jet (ABJ) at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual General Meeting and Convention in Atlanta.

The ABJ Fusion is the third of five innovative and exciting interiors commissioned by BAE Systems Regional Aircraft from Design Q to meet different VIP aircraft market segments. The first two, ABJ Explorer One and Explorer Four, the ultimate ‘go-anywhere’ aircraft, were unveiled last May in Geneva at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition. The remaining two interior concepts will be unveiled later this year and early in 2011.

The ABJ Fusion is aimed at the charter aircraft market; product launches, sports teams, musicians, celebrities, exclusive travel market, and corporate VIP. It is akin to a flying limousine service providing a seamless and exclusive travel experience.

The ABJ Fusion blends the unique capabilities of the aircraft with an interior that reacts to today’s modern global lifestyle and is aimed at providing an aircraft environment that encourages passengers to socialise during the flight. The latest expressive interior design trends and aircraft lighting technology create a stylish and inspiring look, allowing travellers to experience exquisite taste en route to their destination.

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Among the various attributes of the ABJ that lend themselves to fulfil this role is the ability to deploy air stairs at the front and rear of the aircraft to provide an easy and elegant way for the passengers to board in addition to reducing the need for ground support. The large cabin interior, with no need for mid-cabin exits, means that the designers can incorporate different ‘mood’ areas into the cabin to suit guests’ individual tastes. The unbeatable price and value proposition of the aircraft will mean that the end product will be at a price that is affordable for group travel.

In addition, the aircraft’s excellent airfield performance and fully self-contained design allows operations from ‘up-country’ airfields to destination airports, and steep approach capability and ultra-quiet operation to allow access to restricted, but perhaps more convenient city-centre airports.

Stewart Cordner, Vice President Avro Business Jets, said today: “Working with Design Q we are again breaking new ground with the Avro Business Jet in seeking to understand a particular market segment we are aiming for and designing bold and innovative interior concepts to match the requirement.”

Gary Doy, Owner/Director of Design Q comments: “As our lifestyle and travel requirements evolve there are some exciting opportunities to develop the interior offering of business jets. The wide cabin of the ABJ in conjunction with the latest entertainment and lighting technologies has allowed us to develop a unique interior layout with a chameleon-like ability to change character”

Inside the ABJ Fusion the spacious forward entrance leads through to a large open plan interior incorporating separate lounges within the overall space. A bar and intimate seating area is located half way down the aircraft underneath the wing box punctuating the uninterrupted view down the cabin with a change in texture and colour. As there is no requirement for additional exit doors in the mid cabin area this has allowed the design team to develop an interior layout that concentrates on delivering a functional and harmonious solution.

The interior can seat 19 passengers within the three lounges in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The mood lighting system allows each lounge to be lit independently creating individual accents to reinforce the way the lounge is being used at any one time. The forward lounge has a 50” HD television monitor mounted on an offset and angled bulkhead providing a bold visual focal point that can be seen from half way down the aircraft. A discrete library is also incorporated into the forward lounge and stocked with the latest magazines which will be of interest to the customer. The angled bulkhead also allows for a large forward VIP lavatory, making the most use of the space available and adding an additional window to the room over what is generally provided.

The large rear lounge incorporates an informal seating layout along with a club 4 and club 2 seat at the aft end. The lounge backs on to an impressive galley adding both interest and a modern informality to the catering offer. Passengers are encouraged to talk with the cabin crew and choose from the selection of beverages and nibbles laid out on the angled serving worktops. The overall effect is one of sophisticated informality which is believed will appeal to a cross section of VIP customers.

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