Construction To Begin On Fuselage Sub-Assembly
Utilicraft Aerospace Industries says it's given Metalcraft
Technologies, Inc. (MTI) the "go ahead" to start construction of
the initial sub-assembly center-fuselage-section of the prototype
FF-1080-300 aircraft, as per the terms of the Manufacturing
Agreement executed between the companies late last year.
After several months of extensive meetings between engineers and
executives representing both companies, MTI and Utilicraft reached
a decision this week to go forward with "cutting metal" on the
first pieces of the constant section (main cargo bay) of the
fuselage.
Chuck Taylor, Vice President of MTI stated, "We are very pleased
to be part of the Utilicraft program, and are excited about
commencing construction of the FF-1080-300 prototype aircraft. MTI
has been working with John Dupont and his management team on the
program since 1998. We are very impressed with their
professionalism regarding the design and development of the
aircraft, as well as the on-going development of their company in
today's aerospace and financial markets."
When completed, the center fuselage section will accommodate up
to ten LD-3 containers or seven of the larger "A" series containers
with as much as 10 tons of revenue pounds on board -- on the
production versions of the aircraft.
Details of the progress of the on-going construction of the
center fuselage assembly will be the topic of a series of on-going
joint-releases by Utilicraft and MTI that will track the schedule
and milestones of the prototype aircraft -- leading to first
flight.
Under the terms of the contract entered into last year by the
companies, MTI will provide the following for the initial FF-1080
prototype, first article test aircraft, and up to 528 production
aircraft:
Manufacture of all of the details for the forward, center, and
aft fuselage and empennage assemblies.
Design and manufacture of all required assembly jigs and
fixtures.
Assembly of the forward and aft sections of the fuselage
(including horizontal and vertical stabilizers) at their facility
in Cedar City, Utah.
Technical assistance and supervision for the assembly of the
center fuselage by Utilicraft.
Technical assistance and supervision for the mating of the
forward, center, and aft fuselage, and empennage assemblies at the
Utilicraft final assembly facility, planned to be located at the
Double Eagle II Airport, in Albuquerque, NM.