Since 1990, Aero Vodochody has been focusing its civil-aviation efforts on trying to push ahead with a single-turboprop utility-transport project known as the Aero Ae 270, now given the name Ibis.
The programme has been through various revisions, and a full-size fuselage mock-up has often been seen at air shows, but no real progress was made on the project until the manufacturer signed a joint-venture agreement with Aerospace Industrial Development (AIDC) in March.
Now, the company says that a 50-50 joint venture with AIDC, to be called Ibis Aerospace, will be founded at the beginning of July. This new company is to hold responsibility for development, production and marketing of the Ae 270.
The aircraft is a conventional single-engined turboprop designed for six to nine passengers. It will be built in two variants.
The Ae 270 P will be powered by a 625kW (840hp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 engine and a constant-speed, reversible propeller. This version will also have a pressurised cabin and retractable tricycle undercarriage, with an avionics suite from AlliedSignal Bendix/King, designed to meet FAR Pt 23 requirements.
Aero is also planning to install an autopilot in this version to allow single-pilot operations under instrument flight rules.
The Ae 270 W will be a non-pressurised variant driven by a Czech Walter M601E engine, rated at 580kW. This version will have fixed landing gear and a Czech avionics suite, and will not have an autopilot.
The company writes that this variant is designed "-for service on the edge of civilisation", with particular attention to ease of maintenance and low cost. Amphibious versions of both variants, with wheeled floats, called the Ae 270 FW and FP, have also been proposed.
The P&WC-powered version is expected to achieve a maximum speed of 205kt (380km/h), a ceiling of 31,800ft (9,700m), and a landing run of 255m. Its range at an altitude of 19,700ft with 45min reserve fuel is predicted at 2,000km.
According to Aero, the roll-out and first flight of the aircraft should take place in 1999. Initially, final assembly will take place near Prague, although the Czech manufacturer says that a Taiwanese production line could follow later.
Source: Flight International
