Spectrum Aeronautical has brought forward the schedule for certification of its S-40 Freedom mid-size business jet, but pushed back plans for the S-33 Independence light jet. US type certification of the S-40 is now planned for the end of 2009, with the S-33 to follow a year later.

Company president Austin Blue says the switch in focus from the original S-33 is due to the "greater market differentiation between the S-40 and its competitors in the mid-size class. It was the logical place for us to focus." The $6.2 million S-40 competes with aircraft such as the Cessna Citation XLS and Hawker 800 series, he says.

 Spectrum-S-40
 © Spectrum Aeronautical
The S-40 Freedom's US type certification is planned for the end of 2009

Spectrum has also refined the design of the $3.65 million S-33, modifying the wing aerofoil reprofiling the fuselage to increase cabin diameter by 60mm (2.5in) at its widest point and almost 180mm in the aft lavatory and moving from the Williams FJ33-4A-15 to the -19, with more thrust at lower specific fuel consumption.

Gross weight has increased to 3,400kg (7,500lb) from 3,310kg with the changes, but a pair of 1,900lb-thrust (8.45kN) -19 engines will still give the all-composite S-33 "the highest thrust-to-weight ratio of any business jet", says Spectrum.

Also composite, the S-40 will be powered by two 2,050lb-thrust GE Honda HF120s. Windtunnel testing is about to begin, says Blue, and the first of four flight-test aircraft is scheduled to fly from Spectrum's Spanish Fork, Utah facility next year.

Blue says Spectrum has the funding in place to take both aircraft through to type certification and its decision to switch their order "is not because of any technical challenges. It's because of where we see the market going."

Source: Flight International

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