Adam A500 Is A Star!
Adam Aircraft President Joe Walker announced in a press
conference Thursday at AirVenture that fans can see the company's
A500 model in Miami Vice, a Michael Mann production to be released
nationwide tomorrow. "Aside from Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell, one
of the other stars in the movie is the A500," said Walker, with an
almost embarrassed grin.
Mann has a reputation for featuring exotic hardware in his
television and movie productions -- think Ferraris and cigarette
boats. Company founder and CEO Rick Adam said the A500's styling
captured Mann's imagination, with the resultant request use the
aircraft in the movie coming last year.
"Aside from starring in the movie, Mr. Mann assures me that
there will be some spectacular aerial cinematography shot both of
and from within the A500," said Adam.
Adam and Walker presented the company's production report card
before making the big movie announcement. As exciting as the movie
news is, the company's progress toward production of its A500
piston and A700 jet aircraft should electrify fans and prospective
customers alike.
Since delivery of the first A500 at last year's AirVenture, Adam
has begun production at a rate of one aircraft per quarter, and is
on track to increase to 2 per month by the end of 2006. Their order
backlog has grown from $400 million last year to nearly $800
million now. They have 7 A500's in the air accumulating over 4000
hours on the fleet. Serial number 9 is slated for a September
delivery, with numbers 10 through 20 in production. The company
expects to make between 50 and 60 deliveries next year.
Progress on the A700 continues apace as well. With the A500
program firmly in a groove, Adam decided to half its work staff
while doubling that of the A700 program. The A700 benefits from 65%
parts commonality and 90% supplier commonality with the A500, which
should greatly reduce certification time and costs.
Additionally, Walker presented a certificate to Chief Turbine
Test Pilot Kan Sasine for a record flight set in the A700 on a
flight from Denver to Oshkosh on July 7th. The run took just 2.62
hours at an average speed of 348+ mph!
Adam brought an A700 with a completed interior and ANN was able
to sneak a few pictures. Suffice to say, A700 customers should be
more than satisfied!
Earlier this year Adam announced it's partnership with Jet
Support Services Inc. (JSSI) to provide an exclusive "tip to tail"
maintenance cost guarantee program. The costs announced at last
year's NBAA convention were affirmed at AirVenture, and should make
prospective buyers look twice. Maximum guaranteed hourly
maintenance costs are $250 for the A500 and $350 for the A700. When
factoring the warranty, hourly costs will be even lower for the
first two years.
Overall a truly "stellar" report for Adam!