The Altania airframe, the brainchild of French designer Boussad Ameur and industrial group Slicom, features a number of innovations not commonly found on this class of aircraft.
The Altania range (Hall 5a, G32 and static park) comprises four models based on the same body structure: ultralight (UL), two- and four-seat versions, and the AltaJet, still at the project phase.
What is distinctive in the design is the rear-mounted turbo-prop engine, which offers excellent visibility in the cockpit, and the retractable landing gear, exceptional for this type of aircraft.
The body and wings are manufactured in composite materials by ACA and Seccmas, part of Slicom. A 'forged carbon' composite for which Slicom holds the European aerospace licence, is used for parts subject to stress. Forged carbon is easier and quicker to mould, allowing productivity gains.
The marketing of the rear turbo-prop versions started in November 2002. SC2A, the joint venture formed by Ameur and Slicom, has so far received 20 orders. It expects to sell 30 aircraft per year. Ten Altania have been delivered already, in kit version, as the aircraft has not been certified yet.
Apart from the AltaJet, which should take to the air in 2005, the priority for the manufacturer is finding a diesel engine in the 100hp class to free users from AvGas fuel.
Source: Flight Daily News
