German start-up manufacturer High Performance Aircraft (HPA) is gearing up for test flights of its six-seat TT62 Alekto twin pusher in June, two months later than planned.
Flights were initially scheduled to coincide with this week's ILA Berlin air show, but the death in August last year of the manufacturer's founder and chief designer Heiko Teegen caused a temporary setback. HPA will display the aircraft at the show, and expects to receive experimental category type approval from the German airworthiness authority LBA in June. Denmark's Scandinavian Avionics has installed the Garmin 1000 electronic flight instrumentation system for the TT62 and will work on independent certification. Thielert Aircraft Engines is pursuing final approval for the two 310hp (228kW) Centurion 4 turbocharged diesel V8 engines.
HPA says it expects to receive full type certification by the end of the year. HPA is seeking production approval for its final assembly line, which has moved from Rostock to Heringsdorf, on the Polish border in north-eastern Germany. Most structural parts, avionics and powerplant systems are sourced from other German suppliers as well as from Italy, Poland and the UK.
HPA has also received its first US customer for the single-pilot aircraft, which is being targeted at owner-flyers, small- to medium-size companies and air-taxi operators. HPA says it will pursue US Federal Aviation Administration approval for the €490,000 ($587,000) Alekto once it has ironed out initial glitches in co-operation with European customers. The company says it has received refundable deposits from around 60 customers. The TT62 is designed to replace piston twins such as Cessna 340s and Piper Aerostars.
Source: Flight International
