Liberty Aerospace has selected Scaled Technology Works (STW) to produce theXL-2 light aircraft, a certificated derivative of the UK-developed Europa kitplane.
US certification of the all-composite, two-seat single is scheduled for the fourth quarter of next year, with deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2002.
STW, based in Montrose, Colorado, has signed an agreement with Liberty to manufacture all carbonfibre composite components for the XL-2, including the fuselage, and to assemble the aircraft. The initial four-year agreement covers the production of 50 aircraft in the first year and 150 a year thereafter, with the ability to produce up to 400 a year, says STW president Bill Wailes.
Powered by a 75kW (100hp) Rotax 912S, the XL-2 has a 285kg (625lb) useful load, 120kt (220km/h) cruise speed and a 925km (500nm) range.
The aircraft also has a 1.2m (4ft) wide cockpit. The US price has been set at $85,000, increasing to $97,000 after the first 50,says Liberty marketing manager Keith Wilson.
Liberty clinched the first orders for the XL-2 in August from a private owner and the Melbourne, Australia-based Civil Flying School. Further orders from the training centre are anticipated.
The XL-2 is the first aircraft production programme for STW, formed in 1996 as a spin-off from Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites prototyping operation, focusing principally on manufacturing certificated products.
With offices in the UK and USA, Liberty has been formed by shareholders in Europa Aviation to produce a certificated aircraft based on the successful two-seat kitplane, of which more than 750 have been sold.
The XL-2 is the first in a planned family of aircraft, says Wilson, adding: "A new two-seater is important to the food chain."
Source: Flight International
