Fledgling manufacturer VisionAire unveiled a mock-up of its new two-seat, single-engined jet, the VA-12B Spirit. The company says deliveries could start in 2002 or 2003.
The tandem-seat aircraft will share the same composite airframe construction of the Vantage six-place, single-engined business jet now under development at St Louis, Missouri-based VisionAire.
The powerplant for the 1,135kg (2,500lb) gross weight jet will be a 4kN (900lb)-thrust version of the Williams International FJX-2 turbofan now under development. With the 41kg engine consuming about 75.8 litres/h (20USgal/h), VisionAire expects a cruise speed of around 300kt (550km/h) at a ceiling of 30,000ft (9,100m).
VisionAire, which brought the mock-up to Oshkosh as a tool to research the market, says pilot response to the configuration - expressed in letters of intent from more than two prospects - confirms its belief in the Spirit. The company expects the price to be under $500,000, fully equipped.
Source: Flight International