GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Seven-seat jet is based on the A500 piston twin, with certification planned for 2004
Adam Aircraft has launched development of a business jet based on its first design, the A500 piston twin scheduled for certification by the middle of 2003. Powered by two 1,200lb-thrust (5.3kN) Williams International FJ33s, the seven-seat A700 is planned for certification in the second half of 2004.
The A700 has 80% parts commonality with the all-composite A500, sharing the same wing and twin-boom tail. The fuselage is stretched to accommodate a toilet in the aft cabin, and pressurisation is increased to handle the A700's 41,000ft (12,500m) ceiling.
Introductory price for the A700 is just under $2 million, compared with $935,000 for the six-seat A500. Standard features include an electronic flight instrument system with three flat-panel displays, and bleed-air de-icing. The A500 has conventional cockpit instrumentation and optional glycol-based de-icing.
Colorado-based Adam believes the A700's performance will be competitive with that of Cessna's Citation Mustang entry-level jet, while offering a larger cabin. Maximum cruise speed is 340kt (630km/h) at 38,000ft. Instrument flight-rules range is 2,035km (1,100nm). Payload at maximum range is 330kg (725lb).
Outside financing is being sought to develop the A700, although most will come from industrialist Rick Adam, who is financing the majority of the A500 programme. Adam says the A500 is on schedule for US certification next year, leading to first deliveries in mid-2003 against a backlog of 60 orders. The company is taking $10,000 non-refundable deposits on the A700.
The first A500 has undergone 75h of flight testing and two other certification aircraft are in assembly. The centreline-thrust aircraft is powered by two Teledyne Continental TSIO-550Es mounted fore and aft in the fuselage. The first of three A700 prototypes is due to fly in the second half of 2003, with first deliveries in late 2004.
Source: Flight International
