Assembly modified to resolve shimmy issues, as deposits for aircraft hit almost 100
Aviation Technology Group (ATG) expects to resume high-speed taxi tests of the two-seat Javelin very light jet in early September with a modified nose-gear assembly following design changes made to part of the brace structure to counter shimmy issues encountered on the prototype.
ATG president George Bye says “the landing gear will be close to the conforming nose-gear assembly. So rather than have a one-off prototype unit, we’re adding the various improvements that will be on the conforming aircraft. It is in the machine shop now, and we will get the upgraded nose gear delivered about the end of the month.”
Bye adds that ground vibration testing of the aircraft has been successfully completed, and that “there is no aerodynamic flutter expected in the early flight test envelope. We will soon have more aerodynamic analysis completed to cover the higher-speed parts of the envelope.”
The company is also working on reducing the overall weight of the prototype, having recently “made the elevator a bit lighter, and stiffer”, adds Bye.
Deposits for the high-speed Javelin have, meanwhile, climbed to almost 100 with the sale of one aircraft, plus a further three options to Xjet Club, a private consortium of jet owners and users.
The jet will be used as an alternate aircraft for the members of the Colorado-based club, most of whom are private jet owners. ATG says “the twin turbofan Javelin will provide Xjet members with the flexibility to use a smaller, faster aircraft with lower operating expenses when the opportunity arises”.
Of the deposits taken to date, “almost 90% are for the civil version, but we expect as a result of the Paris air show, and the forthcoming Homeland Defense conference in October, that the eventual mix will be more like 60:40 military-civil,” says Bye, who adds that discussions are under way with Israel Aircraft Industries and other partners for final assembly in various countries that are looking to buy the aircraft overseas.
ATG has, meanwhile, confirmed the selection of the 3,400lb- thrust (15kN) Williams FJ33-4-17M turbofan for the production versions of both the civil Javelin and the Javelin Mk20 military trainer.
GUY NORRIS/LOS ANGELES
Source: Flight International