US start-up manufacturer Stratos Aircraft has completed wind-tunnel testing of a 1/5th scale model of its 714 "very light personal jet". The structure was subjected to more than 90 runs with focus on airflow over the fuselage, wings and vertical tail, according to the Bend, Oregon-based company which says its engineering team "is now analysing the [test] data".
Stratos says it has secured about half the investment necessary to bring the single-engine, high-performance aircraft to market and is seeking a further tranche of money to fund the programme through to first flight, which it is targeting for 2013.
The $2 million, Williams FJ-44-3AP-powered 714 is pitched against the Diamond D-Jet, the Piper Altaire and the Cirrus SF50 Vision - all under development. It has a projected cruise speed of 400kt (740km/h) and a range of 1,500nm (2,775km).
Source: Flight International
