Agricultural operator Super Air has begun in-house certification work on a Ford V8-powered variant of the Fletcher FU-24 agricultural aircraft.
Hamilton, New Zealand-based Super Air will seek an initial supplemental type certificate (STC) to operate its own fleet of 14 FU-24s, and will eventually pursue full type-certification.
The 10.5litre liquid-cooled engine is based on the Ford 460 automotive engine, but is highly modified and now built entirely from aluminum alloy. The unit, which develops 410kW (550hp), drives a three-bladed fully feathering and reversible Hartzell propeller through a reduction gear.
Managing director Mike Keen says that the company considered turbine types, including the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-35-powered Cresco variant. He sought a cheaper option, however, which emulated turbine characteristics, including quiet operation and reversible thrust for the country's short grassed airstrips. Test flying of the aircraft is expected to begin in June.
Source: Flight International
