ARCHEDYNE Aerospace
PO Box 568, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920-0568, USA Tel: +1 (407) 431 5067; Fax: +1 (407) 631 8266 Web http://www.archedyne.com
Archedyne Aerospace is continuing to work on the NauticAir 450 amphibious business jet, originally conceived as the single engine Amjet 400. An extra engine has been added and the fuselage stretched by 1.5m to 16m. The 2,300lb- thrust Williams-Rolls FJ44-2 powered aircraft is designed to carry eight passengers 3,300km.
The company will start detailed design once funding, believed to be around $200 million, is in place. If successful, Archedyne will have a prototype built in around 24 months. US certification is expected to follow two years later.
CENTURY AEROSPACE
3250 University Blvd, SE Access Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA Tel +1 (505) 246 8200; Fax + 1 (505) 246 8300 Web http://www.centuryaero.com
Originally conceived as a single engine Williams FJ44-powered jet, the six-seat CA-100 became a twin-engined aircraft powered by the smaller Williams FJ33-1. It also incorporates a number of other changes from the original design including a lengthened fuselage, roomier cabin, increased wing area to provide added fuel and range, repositioned wing to improve handling characteristics; and resized and redesigned T-tail.
Century Aerospace's principle owners, Bill and Lori Northrup, are continuing to assemble a finance package to fund the entry level jet through certification, planned for 2003.
Century formed a risk-sharing partnership with SGL Carbon Composites/Hitco of California to build the composite fuselage, while Taiwan General Aviation Consortium has become a major risk-sharing partner in the programme, providing funding, assisting in design and supplying components for the twinjet.
Century will assemble its CA-100 light business jet in Macon, Georgia, following the acquisition earlier this year of an aerostructures facility from TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace). The Macon facility, renamed Alliance Aerospace, is seeking aerostructures contracts that will help underwrite Century's plans to develop the CA-100 twinjet.
ECLIPSE AVIATION
2503 Clark Carr Loop SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA Tel: +1 (505) 245 7555; Fax: +1 (505) 241 8800 Web http://www.eclipseaviation.com
With a price of less than $837,500, the six-seat Eclipse 500 twin turbofan could revolutionise the business aircraft market when it is finally certificated in the third quarter of 2003 as anticipated.
Eclipse Aviation has secured over $120 million of the $300 million needed to fund the all-metal Eclipse 500 through certification.
To achieve its $837,500 target price Eclipse is pioneering an advanced manufacturing technique. By assembling the airframe using friction stir welding, as opposed to riveting the structure together in the traditional way, the manpower cost of assembling a conventional metal structure has been slashed.
In a boost to the company's credibility, it awarded engine manufacturer Williams International the contract to design, develop and certify the Eclipse 500 as well as provide the FJX-2 turbofans, renamed the EJ22, exclusively until at least until 2005.
EXPLORER AIRCRAFT
357 Madison Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA Tel: +1 (303) 388 0600; Fax: +1 (303) 388 1005 Web http://www.exploreraircraft.com
Explorer plans to develop three single-engine turboprop aircraft in executive configuration: the Pratt and Whitney Canada P&WC PT6A powered 10-seat 500T, the 16-seat 750T and the Orenda-powered 500R. A non-conforming prototype of the 500T, the first aircraft to be developed, made its first flight last year and will remain in the programme until the conforming prototype comes on line in 2003. Certification is slated for the same year, with deliveries expected to begin in 2004. The 500R is scheduled to fly this year with certification and first deliveries in 2004. First flight of the Explorer 750T is set for 2005, followed by certification and first deliveries in the third and fourth quarter of that year. All aircraft will have a composite fuselage and all metal wings.
FARNBOROUGH AIRCRAFT
Building P71, DERA, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6TD, UK Tel: +44 (1252) 518128; Fax: +44 (1252) 518124 Web http://www.farnborough-aircraft.com
The six-seat single turboprop-powered F1 was launched two years ago by Richard Noble of ThrustSSC supersonic land speed record fame. Based on his experience with ThrustSSC, Noble plans to fund, market, develop and sell the FI only over the internet.
Farnborough-Aircraft is seeking around £15 million ($22 million) investment to fund the aircraft through certification. With an estimated price of $2 million, the aircraft will be aimed at companies interested in creating networks of air taxis, which can be booked through a global internet site, currently under development. The F1 is designed to take off from most types of runways and airstrips of more than 430m, and will offer a range of 1,850km.
The F1 is lined up for first flight late next year followed by certification and first deliveries planned for 2004.
MAVERICK AIR
Fremont Country Airport, 100 Twinjet way, Penrose, Colorado 81240, USA Tel: +1 (719) 784 0255
Maverick Air is building a certified variant of its five-seat TwinJet kit plane. The Penrose, California-based manufacturer plans to set up a separate company to produce the certificated aircraft. Maverick is planning to select the Agilis or Williams EJ133 turbofans by the end of the month. The four-seat twinjet will be priced at around $1.4 million, with deliveries slated by the end of 2003.
SAFIRE AIRCRAFT
400 Clemetis Street, Suite 207, West Palm Beach, FL33401, USA Tel: +1 (561) 650 0830; Fax: +1 (561) 659 6319 Web http://www.safireaircraft.com
Safire is altering the six-seat S-26 twin turbofan, for which it is still striving to raise funding. The company suffered a setback last year when rival Eclipse signed an exclusivity deal with Williams for the supply of the FJX-2 turbofans. Safire has since sourced a 900lb-thrust high bypass turbofan through Agilis Engines, a newcomer to turbofan development. Safire is also seeking risk-sharing partners to off set the high cost of development. To date the company has received more than 700 deposits for its $800,000 all-composite S-26.
Preliminary design of the TF800-powered S-26, the first in a family of light jets planned by Safire, is nearing completion and detailed design is due to begin early next year.
Source: Flight International
