Enhanced fire protection for its embedded engines is the first of several special certification conditions to be imposed by the US Federal Aviation Administration on Aviation Technology Group's (ATG) fighter-like Javelin very light jet.
The tandem-seat Javelin has its twin turbofans mounted side-by-side in the aft fuselage. The fuel tank is mounted forward of the engines, and primary structure and flight controls for the horizontal and vertical tails pass through or near engine bays, the FAA says.
Part 23 certification rules assume physically separated engines, ensuring fire cannot spread. Because of the Javelin's configuration, the agency has proposed a special condition requiring firewall insulation between the engines, plus fire detection and extinguishing systems.
ATG has been working with the FAA for some time, and its production Javelin design already incorporates the required features, says certification manager Randy Blaser. "There will be quite a few special conditions because of the Javelin's unique design," he says. "We have 27 issue papers and are working on all of them with the FAA."
Source: Flight International
