Aurora Flight Sciences' Centaur optionally piloted aircraft has received a special airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, clearing the way for flight tests to begin soon.
Centaur, based on the twin diesel Diamond DA42 four-seater, is being developed to fly safely as an FAA-certificated aircraft inside the National Airspace System with the ability to be reconfigured for robotic, unmanned operations when extended performance is needed or when operations are too dangerous for manned aircraft.
Development of Centaur began in 2009. First deliveries are available in 2011.
Source: Flight International
