Ibis Aerospace, the Aero Vodochody/AIDC joint venture, expects to roll out the single-turboprop Ae270 multimission aircraft on 10 December. The first production prototype will be an Ae270P variant, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A.
The aircraft is pressurised, with retractable landing gear. The non-pressurised Ae207W, which has a Walter M601 F engine and fixed landing gear, is expected to be rolled out six months later. The aircraft is able to carry up to 10 passengers and is aimed at the medium-range transport and general utility markets.
Assembly is being carried out by Aero in the Czech Republic, while AIDC is providing several structures from its Taiwan base. Certification of the -P model is expected by mid-2001.
Source: Flight International
