Joint venture company aims to develop derivative
Ibis Aerospace is seeking an infusion of capital from its two shareholders and potential new investors to cover the cost of developing a new derivative of the Ae270 single-engine turboprop.
Ibis president Jiri Fidransky says the joint-venture company is still seeking European and US certification for the current Ae270, delayed until late this year, but is not planning to produce more than five because it is overweight. Instead, Ibis is trying to convince owners Aero Vodochody and Taiwan’s Aerospace Industry Development Corporation (AIDC) to develop a new lighter variant.
The new aircraft will be able to cruise at speeds of up to 260kt (480km/h), a target the Ae270 so far has missed by 20kt. The new variant will also be able to meet the original maximum payload goal of at least 400kg (880lb). Fidransky says the improved performance will be generated by a 200kg reduction in empty weight, achieved by redesigning the wing and empennage and system changes. AIDC last year decided to stop manufacturing the wing and said it would not invest further in the project (Flight International, 5-11 October 2004).
AIDC has since decided to reconsider its participation in the project and Fidransky says it has expressed interested in leading an effort to redesign the wing. But he acknowledges neither AIDC nor Aero Vodochody have agreed to supply the required funds.
David Chu, director of Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs Committee for Aviation and Space Industry Development, says: “There is a possibility for the government to invest more in the Ae270.” But he adds that Taiwan wants to see the outcome of Aero Vodochody’s planned privatisation before deciding.
Fidransky says Ibis is also courting potential new investors. Ibis is proposing a restructuring which will give it responsibility for design and integration, previously handled by the two investors while Ibis focused on sales. Ibis secured 80 orders for the Ae270 but is now renegotiating with customers because the aircraft has missed performance and delivery guarantees.
Fidransky says none of its distributors, which account for most of the orders, are willing to accept the original overweight variant, but “are willing to continue their contractual relationships with Ibis and wait for upgraded equipment”.
Source: Flight International
