Chichester Miles Consultants (CMC) has completed preliminary flight trials of its Leopard four-seat business jet.
The Williams FJX-1-powered aircraft, conceived in 1982, was tested for its handling and performance capabilities at speeds of around 260kt (485km/h). The aircraft was first flown in 1988 with Noel Penny turbojets, but has never gone into production.
The current flight-test programme is scheduled to resume on 8 January, when CMC will attempt to expand the flight envelope to speeds of up to 430kt and altitudes of up to 35,000ft (10,600m). CMC plans to replace the current engines with more-powerful Williams FJX-2 turbofans, expected to be flown in 2000.
Source: Flight International
