Night/IFR TIA Expected Next Week

At the Adam Aircraft press luncheon Tuesday afternoon at Lakeland 2006, company president Joe Walker brought attendees up to speed on the status of the FAA Type Certificate on the A500 inline twin turboprop.

"We expect the TIA (type inspection authorization) for Night/IFR sometime next week," Walker said. He added subsequent TIAs for pressurization and altitude expansion should follow by the end of April.

Adam has travelled a long road to arrive at this point. Although the A500 officially received its FAA type-certification last May, there were severe restrictions: operation was limited to Day/VFR conditions only, at altitudes below 12,500 feet. Not exactly stellar for a $1.2 million pressurized business twin with a maximum operating altitude of 25,000 feet.

Alas, there is also one more TIA the A500 needs -- for deicing capabilities. Walker said Adam Aircraft anticipates that to be completed by the end of the year.

Of course, Adam Aircraft is also developing the A700 very-light-jet, which is heavily based on the A500's architecture. The company hopes the lengthy certification for the A500 will pay off with an expedited process for the jet, that Walker says shares 65 percent airframe commonality with its piston sibling.

Other systems on the A700, such as the Williams FJ-33 engines and FADEC controls, have already been proven on other aircraft.

FMI: www.adamaircraft.com