Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Aerostar Aircraft is finalising funding for development of the FJ-100 turbofan-powered derivative of the classic Aerostar piston twin.
Idaho-based Aerostar estimates that it needs only $40 million to certificate the six-seat twinjet, says president Steve Speer, because the US Federal Aviation Administration has allowed the company to modify the existing Aerostar.
Although the FJ-100 will require a new type certificate, "we can take the existing Aerostar and modify it for certification", he says. Changes include a stretched fuselage, strengthened wing, cruciform tail, increased maximum take-off weight of 7,300lb (3,300kg) and two 1,200lb-thrust (5.3kN) Williams FJ33-1s.
According to Speer, many of the changes planned for the FJ-100 were incorporated in the sole Aerostar 800 produced by the aircraft's designer, Ted Smith.
This was his final derivative of the Aerostar 600/700 pressurised piston twin, 1,000 of which were assembled.
Aerostar Aircraft acquired the rights to Smith's design from Piper in 1991, with the intent to develop a jet-powered version. Since then, the company has supported and refurbished piston Aerostars.
Speer hopes to have the funding in place "shortly", with deliveries to begin 30 months later. Aerostar holds refundable deposits for over 20 of the $1.9 million aircraft. Production is planned to increase from 20 aircraft in the first year to 50-70 a year, he says.
The company plans a family of Aerostar-based twinjets, says Speer, including a four-seater costing less than $1 million and powered by Williams' FJX-2 small turbofan, and a $2.5 million eight-seat aircraft.
Source: Flight International
