Aero Vodochody has received US Federal Aviation Administration approval for the Ibis Aerospace Ae270 single-engined turboprop, paving the way, the Czech manufacturer expects, for further development of the seven-seat aircraft. The approval follows hot on the heels of European certification of the utility aircraft, co-developed with joint venture partner Taiwan’s Aerospace Industries Development (AIDC).
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Aero Vodochody aims to improve Ae270 after recieving FAA certification |
Josef Sonsky, Aero’s vice-president for civil programmes, says: “Our goal now is to start the Ae270 aircraft operation, gain operational experience and to begin a further upgrades programme of the Ae270.”
Sonsky says: “It is expected the Taiwan side will put further investment into the common Ae270 project to develop [a lighter executive-configured] version.”
The improved Ae270 will be able to cruise at speeds of up to 260kt (480km/h), a target the aircraft so far has missed by 20kt, and be able to meet the original maximum payload goal of at least 400kg (880lb). The improved performance will be generated by a 200kg reduction in empty weight, achieved by redesigning the wing and empennage and system changes.
According to sources close to the programme, AIDC is unable to put more funds into the programme and any future investment is likely to come from private sources and/or the Taiwanese government. The source notes, however, that AIDC does support the idea of continuing the project and developing an improved aircraft, but its effort to help secure new investors has been put on hold pending the outcome of Aero’s privatisation. Several companies and consortia are bidding to buy the debt-laden Czech company, including Aero Kilcullen and Eco-Investment (Flight International, 28 February–6 March).
A source from Ibis Aerospace says: “AIDC is trying to see if the [Czech] government has interest in putting in more money. At the same time we’re looking to see if there’s any third party interest from Taiwan or overseas”.
KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON & BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
