Korea Aerospace Industries is still working on the joint-definition phase of its KC-100 light piston single, but aims to start building the first aircraft in the coming months and have it completed around the end of the year.
"First aircraft will be completed by the end of this year or early next year," says a KAI source, who adds that the company aims to achieve South Korean certification in time for first delivery in 2013.
Preliminary design work has been completed and KAI is working with suppliers on the final design, says the source.
KAI has yet to secure a launch customer for the Part 23 aircraft. The KC-100 is aimed at the leisure and business market, says the source, adding that once certification is achieved, the company will seek US Federal Aviation Administration certification followed by European Safety Aviation Safety approval.
KAI is a state-controlled aerospace conglomerate that primarily makes military aircraft. The KC-100 represents its first foray into the general aviation market.
The independently developed four-seat aircraft has an all-composite fuselage, an all-glass cockpit, autopilot and a mid-air collision avoidance system, KAI says.
Its specification sheet shows the KC-100 is 8.59m (28ft)-long with an 11.37m wingspan.
US propeller-maker Hartzell says it has secured a contract to supply its ASC-II three-blade composite propeller for the KC-100, which is powered by a Teledyne Continental TSIOF-550 engine.
KAI says the 315hp (235kW) engine gives the KC-100 a maximum speed of 240kt (445km/h), a maximum range of 2,445km (1,320nm), maximum take-off weight of 1.6t and maximum payload of 0.5t.
Source: Flight International
