Guy Norris/Los Angeles
Advanced Aerodynamics & Structures (AASI) has taken orders worth more than $180 million for 150 Jetcruzer 500s, as a third aircraft is prepared to join the certification programme.
The Long Beach, California-based start-up manufacturer reached the new sales mark after taking a further 23 orders in the past two months. It remains optimistic of amassing as many as 220 by year-end. The current orderbook already represents almost two years' production for the company's new 18,580m² (200,000ft²) factory, now in the final stages of completion.
The order boost comes as work is finalised on the first pressurised Jetcruzer 500 - the third to join the test effort. The production standard 500 is a stretched, pressurised version of the canard-configured 450 which received US certification in 1994. Despite the successful development of the pusher turboprop, AASI opted to switch to the slightly larger 500 version as its entry-level corporate transport, priced at $1.3 million.
"So far everything is compliant," says AASI test pilot Mark Elwess, who adds that spin testing has yet to begin. "Even at the higher weight [of the 500], the feeling is that the spin-resistant characteristics will remain the same as those of the 450, even when we increase the centre of gravity envelope towards the aft limit. In fact we are partially forward of that," adds Elwess.
The introduction of the pressurised aircraft will allow tests to be conducted at altitudes of "up to 30,000ft [9,150m]", well above the 20,000ft altitude levels reached to date. Aircraft number three is expected to be ready for testing by mid-October, putting it slightly behind AASI's original schedule. Consequently, the target date for certification, initially estimated at "mid-1998" and later revised to the end of the third quarter, now looks set to be closer to the year-end.
First deliveries of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66A-powered single are believed to be targeted for late December, with about 120 aircraft being produced in the first full year.
Source: Flight International
