Alberta Aerospace is on target to become the first manufacturer to certificate and deliver a single-engined general aviation jet. The Canadian company says its two-seat Phoenix Fan Jet will be in full service "by the end of the year", closely followed by a four-seater.
"We are now 10 months away from type certification, but we still have to make a few modifications to bring it in line with FAA Part 23 certification," says Alberta's executive vice-president, John McIntee.
The alterations, which include increasing the wing tips by 457mm (18in), shortening the ailerons and lengthening the flaps, are designed to reduce the stall speed to 61kt (113km/h).
The first of two prototypes has flown more than 700 hours to date. "We have another 65 test flights to complete in order to get the aircraft certificated," acknowledges McIntee.
Calgary-based Alberta Aerospace has now received six confirmed orders for the Phoenix Fan Jet, formerly the Promavia Jet Squalus, and a letter of intent for 200 machines "from an international government."
The company is about to announce an alliance with an unnamed "major" aircraft manufacturer that will "-be part of the certification programme", he says, and will build the aircraft fuselages and subassemblies.
Final assembly will be performed at Alberta Aerospac e's Calgary site. "We saw this window of opportunity and seized it," says McIntee. "This venture is going to add instant credibility to our marketing effort."
Alberta Aerospace will be floated on the stock market in February in an attempt to fund its expansion plans, which include opening a civil jet training facility at the former Canadian Forces Penhold airbase at Red Deer, near Calgary. "The centre will be open in mid-2000, operating 20 Phoenix Fan Jets," adds McIntee.
The manufacturer is also "in discussions" with aUS and European company to develop a new helicopter, but declines to reveal details. "We are all bringing together our expertise to develop a new rotary wing platform," says McIntee.
Source: Flight International
