Kate Sarsfield/LONDON
Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures (AASI) plans to boost sales of its Jetcruzer 500 turboprop by establishing a network of aircraft operators offering fractional ownership of its six-seat pusher. "We are selecting suitable companies and we should have them in place before June when the aircraft is scheduled for certification," says AASI's executive vice-president Gene Comfort.
The move by Long Beach, California-based AASI is the second initiative in less than six months to increase the Jetcruzer's market share. Last year AASI announced its intention to certificate the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66A-powered aircraft to US Federal Aviation Administration single-engine Part 135 rules, to raise commercial appeal.
AASI seeks independent operators which will acquire "between seven and 10" aircraft, including core aircraft, depending on the size of the population of the area in which the operator is based. "This number is needed to make a fractional programme viable," Comfort adds. Although details and terms of the programme are unavailable, AASI plans to kick-start an aggressive marketing campaign "soon" to promote Jetcruzer fractional ownership. "We expect the programme to put aircraft ownership within the reach of more owner flyers and executives of small companies," Comfort says. "Initially we hope to have a minimum of seven strategically located bases [operators] in the USA."
AASI will provide pilot and maintenance training, marketing assistance and product support from a service centre network.
The Jetcruzer has more than 1,000h of flight testing. The second prototype is being prepared for pressurisation testing at 30,000ft (9,150m), a third aircraft will join the programme next month and the fourth and final production aircraft is being built. AASI has 182 orders for the aircraft. "We are holding the price at $1.4 million until the 200th aircraft, after which it will rise to $1.5 million," says Comfort.
Source: Flight International
