Dave Higdon/ST LOUIS
The Vantage single-engined jet will be heavier and use a more powerful engine when VisionAire begins certification testing of the first production prototype towards the end of this year.
The St Louis, Missouri-based company plans to resume development of the aircraft after a lengthy design review is published this month. The study was commissioned last year to address aircraft handling and weight concerns that arose during 300h of flight testing logged on the proof of concept airframe since its first flight in November 1996.
According to an industry source, the Vantage is expected to "endure a modest weight gain" beyond the present 2,040kg (4,500lb) empty weight and the 3,500kg maximum gross take-off weight, which is more than 11% above the manufacturer's original design target.
The aircraft will also require "a more powerful version of the Vantage's single General Electric JT5-D powerplant to retain payload, climb and runway requirements within the higher weights", says the source.
Beyond the assessment, little progress has been made, adds the industry source. The company laid off most of its workforce last year, while the design review was undertaken to preserve "their scarce financial resources". VisionAire executives plan to re-employ workers as they are needed.
VisionAire chairman Jim Rice continues to seek extra capital to bridge the gap between the original development costs and the amount identified by the study.
VisionAire has raised more than $60 million to develop and certify the Vantage, build an assembly plant and fund production, but development costs are now likely to be closer to $110 million.
Source: Flight International
