B/CA Show News - NBAA 2007 Day 1 - (Page 49) NEW AIRCRAFT N BA A 2007 Personal Jets “So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, and few be chosen.” (Matthew XX, v.3) As time has progressed, the number of “Who are they?” companies offering personal jets has diminished, and this section has become, increasingly, the domain of the larger and betterknown manufacturers. Cirrus, Eclipse, Diamond, Epic and Piper have arrived late, but they appear to have strong products that may yet see off the challenge from those in the personal jet vanguard lacking the resources to develop and get to market quickly. Kit building in this sector remains— only just—an option, largely because Epic is pleased to be able to obtain certifications assisted by its Experimental builders. Some of those other projects seemingly still extant have shown little sign of activity since the last NBAA Convention—for which reason the Viper ViperJet is no longer described—while reading of others’ travails does not inspire confidence in their futures either. And speaking of rapid development, it is notable that both the Eclipse Concept and Epic Victory were taken from first sketch to first flight in half a year and in concurrent programs. It can be done. it has only just completed its next round of $200 million funding and will not begin assembling the first of the five until later this year. With Op Technologies Pegasus threescreen displays, optional HUD and two 1,750pounds-thrust Williams FJ33 turbofans included in the $3 million price, the tandem-seat aluminum aircraft is intended to cruise at Mach 0.75 for 1,000 nmi—or Eclipse Concept Jet less at Mach 0.86 highspeed cruise. Ceiling is 45,000 feet, the initial levels of which are transited at 9,000 feet/minute. Maneuver limits are +6/–3G. Verdict: The jury’s out Cirrus The-Jet Cirrus revealed that it was exploring development of a personal jet intended for single-pilot operation at the AOPA Expo in Tampa, Florida, on Nov. 4, 2005; in June 2006 the company confirmed it was working on “the lowest, slowest, shortest-range jet in the market.” Unveiling and announcement of the name “The-Jet” was made this past June 28, when a mock-up was shown; engine supplier Williams International was revealed as a risksharing partner. First customer deliveries were said to be “at least ATG-1B Javelin Mk 10 three years” away. Design objectives include simple systems, “pleasant” handling and good short-field performance. Transition for pilots of Cirrus props will be made as simple as possible, as will hangarage in the same accommodation. Generally of composites construction, the V-tail aircraft has a spine-mounted, 1,900-pound-thrust Williams FJ33-4A-19 turbofan and a Cirrus Airframe Parachute System as standard. Speed and range predictions are 300 kts and 1,000 nmi. Accommodation is for five (two plus three), with the option of two more child seats in the baggage area. There’s a two-screen EFIS with PFD and MFD displays (supplier yet to be nominated). Approximately 150 deposits for the $1 million jet were held at the time of launch. Verdict: Getting there Eclipse Concept Jet Aviation commentators of mature years remember when the Russians used to spring surprises in the skies over military parades in Red Square, while mysterious prototypes flew by and were snapped in grainy black-and-white by foreign air attaches’ cameras. Now it is Vern Raburn who keeps the air correspondents guessing; his master stroke at this year’s Oshkosh AirVenture was to taxi into the display area in a flyable aircraft whose unsuspected and no-less-secret mock-up had been unveiled only a few moments earlier. The Eclipse Concept Jet, or ECJ, has been created to determine the potential market for a single-engine personal jet and assess the price that market will pay. Eclipse will make a decision before mid2008, and if in the affirmative, full development will take 36 months. While conceived by Eclipse, detailed design was entrusted to an outside contractor, so the prototype (N5184U) is continued on page 50 ATG-1B Javelin Mk 10 Aviation Technology Group is promoting the Javelin for both civil and military applications, including light (“homeland defense”) fighter, advanced trainer and unmanned air vehicle, with development of the trainer and armed version being entrusted to Israel Aircraft Industries. The Mk 10 is intended for the owner-pilot and has picked up around 150 orders. Of convincing fighter-like appearance, the ATG-1B prototype flew on Sept. 30, 2005. The design underwent minor refinements in 2006; these will be reflected in the five conforming development aircraft that were due to emerge from this December onward. ATG will need to work hard to fly 1,400 hours of test sorties if the declared goal of 2008 certification is to be reached. In fact, Cirrus The-Jet www.aviationweek.com/shownews September 25, 2007 49 http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.