Announces Imminent FAA Certification At EBACE2005
Ibis Aerospace Ltd. announced at the
5th annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in
Geneva that its Ae270 Propjet is in the final stages of
certification by European and United States airworthiness
authorities. The Ae270 is a single-engine turboprop aircraft
designed to function as both a utility and executive transport. The
aircraft will be certified under FAR Part 23 Normal category and
eligible for FAR Part 135 IFR operations. The Ae270 was first
introduced publicly in 1999, and its first flight was completed in
July 2000. The aircraft was recently exhibited with an executive
interior at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
annual meeting and convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ibis Aerospace says it's achieved two major milestones in the
Ae270’s development program. First, the company made a solid
push towards receiving aircraft type certification by completing
the flight test regimen as required by the Czech Aviation Authority
(CAA) approval process. The final certification test flight was
made on May 10, 2005, as the aircraft returned safely to its base
near Prague, Czech Republic. Second, the manufacturer has also
delivered all but a handful of the required reports, with the
remaining reports being finished at the present time. Certification
of the Ae270 is currently being reviewed jointly by the CAA and the
US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The CAA, in close cooperation with the FAA, has conducted a
preliminary review of the available certification documents.
Further, FAA representatives have flown the Ae270, and their
comments are that they consider the aircraft’s operational
characteristics to be “quite good for its class.” Like
other comparable aircraft, the Ae270 will require certification
category exceptions. However, the aircraft exhibits equivalent
levels of safety for those exceptions. It is expected to be a few
months before the final approval is given due to routine paperwork
and coordination among the CAA, European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) and FAA. The aircraft will be final manufactured by Aero
Vodochody of the Czech Republic.
Following type certification, Ibis Aerospace will continue to
work on enhancing the aircraft type. Developments are underway to
enhance the overall value of the Ae270 by improving several key
performance areas through a number of design initiatives presently
being discussed. Extensive market reviews have shown high potential
for this class of aircraft with improved performance. Ibis
Aerospace forecasts a positive outlook for future sales of the
Ae270, as well as future profitability for the company and its
investors.
News of certification follows a recent announcement that
Ibis’ investment partners have committed to further
development of the Ae270 Propjet venture. In November 2004, Ibis
Aerospace shareholders, AIDC of Taiwan R.O.C. and Aero Vodochody of
the Czech Republic, publicly reaffirmed their support for the Ibis
joint venture, specifically to the Ae270 aircraft program.
In October 2004, the executive configured aircraft made a
successful first US appearance as Ibis Aerospace ferried its Ae270
to Las Vegas for display at NBAA. This exhibit of the Ae270 marked
the first public display of the Ae270’s completed executive
interior. The Ae270 is a model of efficiency, luxury and utility,
and is the result of continuous customer input and superb attention
to detail.
The Ae270 Spirit is a large-cabin, pressurized aircraft designed
to carry up to ten people (two crew plus eight passengers). The
Ae270 can also be configured for bulk cargo.