Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures (AASI) has begun work at its Long Beach factory in California on the stretched Jetcruzer 500P, a pressurised high-speed version of the original Jetcruzer 450.
"It will be pressurised to 30,000ft [9,150m] with a good high-altitude engine," says AASI executive vice-president Gene Comfort. "We're really going to be the fastest propjet in the world and, for a cruise speed, we're looking at 320-330kt [610km/h]," he adds. With higher speed and altitude in mind, AASI selected the Pratt & Whitney Canada 1,170kW (1,580hp)-rated PT6A-66 turboprop in place of the 650kW PT6A-42 selected originally for a lower-performance version of the 500. The company also plans to use a five-blade Hartzell reversible pitch-pusher propeller, similar to that used on the Piaggio P180 Avanti, instead of the three-blade Hartzell originally planned.
To construct the -500 prototype, AASI is stretching its 7.5m-long -450 model by 1.83m, making it longer than the 7.82m version originally envisaged for the derivative. The fuselage itself, still seating six, will be stretched by 0.9m, while the remainder of the growth is taken up by an aerodynamic redesign of the aft fuselage, which adds another 0.9m. "It gives us a huge luggage area," says Comfort, who adds that fuel capacity will also be raised to 946litres, compared to the 450's capacity of 757litres. The added fuel raises range (with reserves) to 2,775km (1,500nm).
Work began in earnest on the stretch in May with the delivery of the first engine from P&WC. First flight is expected as early as next month. Three other stretched fuselages, with the "tapered" aft fuselage, are also under construction at AASI's temporary Long Beach site.
The company plans to move into a nearby purpose-built 20,440m2 (220,000ft2) site at around the end of the year. AASI intends to pursue amended certification of the -500 based on the original -450 approval. "We will finish amendment for FAA [US Federal Aviation Administration] certification around January or February 1998, and receive our final amended type certification in the June time-frame," says Comfort. This will coincide with the planned completion of the first production aircraft, due to be rolled down the Long Beach line at a rate of up to six a month initially, with plans to grow to ten a month. Final certification is envisaged in "late" 1998.
AASI raised almost $35 million this year when it went public. It has built up its workforce to 45 and has "firm orders" for 30 aircraft.
Source: Flight International
