A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Business aviation firm Comlux the Aviation Group launched a new division, ER Solutions, focused on the commercial market, it announced this week at the Farnborough Airshow. The new branch also introduced its first product—the Forward Additional Comlux Tank (FACT), an auxiliary fuel tank system for the Airbus A321ceo.

 


The system increases the commercial airliner’s range up to 400 nm, and up to 500 nm for the VIP ACJ321ceo, “allowing airlines and VIP clients to link new city pairs,” such as Paris-New York and London-Doha, according to the Swiss company.

 


“We are now able to offer a great product for Extended Range Solutions on A321ceo aircraft, for both airline and VIP markets,” said Comlux CEO Arnaud Martin. “Our next objective is to implement partnerships around the world with quality MROs to offer several locations to our future airline customers for installation of the new system.”

 


Developed in collaboration with Airbus, the FACT system is designed to complement the existing Airbus Additional Center Tanks (ACT), adding some 4,000 liters (1,000 gallons) of extra fuel. About 30 percent of the circa 1,600 A321ceos—a model that remains in production—are outfitted with ACTs, according to Comlux, creating a large potential market for the new aux fuel system.

 


Fitted in the cargo hold, FACT leaves room for 250 large suitcases, is lightweight, and requires four to five weeks downtime for installation. Comlux is currently in discussions “with many airlines,” Martin said, and the response has been “very positive.”&nbsp;

 


Additionally, ER Solutions signifies a diversification of Comlux Group from the bespoke VIP completions and refurbishments for which it’s known, into “more of an industrial solution provider for airlines,” said Martin.

 


Successfully tested in the fourth quarter, the FAA certified FACT in February and EASA certification is expected in September, said Martin. An ACJ321ceo has been operating with FACT since March.

 


With the A321neo stretching range of the models via increased fuel efficiency, Comlux views FACT as a complementary product, helping airlines and leasing companies enhance the value of their current A321 fleets. Going forward, Martin said Comlux has many other ideas for aftermarket auxiliary fuel systems for both Airbus and Boeing products.

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