Altitude, Icing Restrictions Remain... But Maybe Not For
Long?
Adam Aircraft told Aero-News Friday the company has achieved a
major milestone in receiving an amended FAR Part 23 Type
Certificate from the FAA for its all-composite A500 pressurized
centerline twin-engine aircraft. The amended TC allows pressurized
flight, single-pilot operation, and Day/Night VFR/IFR flight.
The company states the A500 is the first-ever Day/Night VFR/IFR
certification for a new-technology, all-composite, pressurized,
twin-engine aircraft. The last new pressurized twin-engine airplane
was manufactured in 1986.
"The A500 is the only pressurized twin-engine piston aircraft in
production today," said Rick Adam, founder and CEO of Adam
Aircraft. "Our customers benefit from our elegant carbon-fiber
construction and the safety of our twin in-line thrust engines. The
A500 is an excellent step-up airplane for the thousands of owners
of new-generation single-engine aircraft."
The A500 is now certified to its full 5.5 psi pressurization,
which provides a sea-level cabin to 12,500 ft. Additional certified
upgrades include a fully coupled IFR autopilot, Day/Night VFR/IFR,
single-pilot flight operation, leading-edge cuffs to improve
low-speed handling characteristics, and an expanded CG range.
There still remains one caveat for A500 owners... for the
moment, they're still limited to flying at or below 12,500 feet.
However, Adam expects maximum operating altitude will be expanded
to 25,000 ft. this winter, when the aircraft is also expected
to receive its de-icing certification. Final performance numbers at
those altitudes will include a 230-knot cruise speed and a
more-than 1,100 nm NBAA IFR range at 75% power.
"This is the most capable twin-engine piston aircraft available
in the marketplace today" said Joe Walker, President of Adam
Aircraft. "No other aircraft in this segment comes close to the
performance, the comfort of the largest pressurized cabin in its
class, and the amenities that the A500 provides. Our customers have
recognized this outstanding value, and as a result we have
a-two-year backlog of orders to fill."
With its recently awarded FAA Production
Certificate in hand, Adam says the A500 production
line will continue to accelerate to meet this pent-up demand for a
safe and reliable pressurized piston twin. A500 Serial Number 008
is currently undergoing its final flight checks for an October
delivery, and Serial Numbers 009 through 024 are on the production
line.
With today's news, it appears Adam has a fighting chance (and
maybe better) of achieving its goal, announced this April at Lakeland
2006, of achieving full certification on the A500
before the end of the year. Stay tuned... this is where it gets
exciting!
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