Spectrum Aeronautical plans to restart test flights of the Independence S-33 light jet with the first production-conforming aircraft in August next year.
The company, fighting back from its loss of the first prototype earlier this year, has also detailed its plans to develop the Freedom S-40 mid-size jet at virtually the same time.
The larger S-40, a scaled-up version of the all-composite S-33, will be powered by the GE Honda HTF120 and is designed to compete in the Bombardier Learjet 60 market sector. The Freedom is aimed at certification and entry into service in 2010, while the Independence is targeted for 2008-9.
"We're truly moving up to mid-size," says managing director Linden Blue.
The nine-place Freedom will have guaranteed transcontinental range eastbound and marginal westbound capability. Priced at $6.2 million, the aircraft will have direct operating costs "comparable to the S-33", Blue says. Spectrum plans to build two of each model a week, equating to around 200 S-33/40s a year. "We don't need high volumes to do very well," says Blue.
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The GE Honda-owned S-40 is sized to compete with the Learjet 60 |
Source: Flight International
