Adam Aircraft has received a 75-aircraft, $150 million order for A700 very light jets from a US air-taxi company led by airline industry veterans Donald Burr and Robert Crandall. The four-passenger aircraft are to be delivered over 18 months, from late first quarter next year.
The concept is to concentrate a large number of aircraft in a relatively small area, probably around New York, and use them intensively to provide a limousine-like service, says Burr, founder of pioneering low-fare airline People Express. The aircraft will fly to general-aviation airports within an 800km (500 mile) radius for a typical per-seat price of around $3.80/km ($4.50/mile). "Beyond 700 miles we cannot guarantee consistent service," he says.
The air-taxi service will be operated as on-demand charters under Part 135 rules, and the company will decide soon whether to acquire an operating certificate or apply for its own. Burr and Crandall, the former American Airlines chief executive, have raised $8 million to begin investment in infrastructure.
The venture faces significant challenges. The all-composite A700 AdamJet and its Williams FJ33 engines have yet to be certificated, and Adam is significantly behind schedule in certificating the A500 piston twin from which the very light jet is derived. Certification of the A500 and FJ33 is expected by mid-year.
Source: Flight International
