Tue, Jul 25, 2017
Sleek And Efficient, Fast And Sexy. But You’ll Have To Wait.
By Tom Woodward
Nature rarely makes mistakes, notwithstanding the cockroach. Birds are designed to fly efficiently, raptors to soar, Hummingbirds to hover. Fish are designed to swim quickly to evade predators unless that predator is the Isurus Oxyrinchus, or more commonly known as the Mako Shark, one of, if not the fastest fish in the sea. Mako is a Maori word of Polynesian dialect but the scientific name Isurus means “The same tail” and Oxyrinchus means “Pointy snout” and that is prevalent in the esthetics of the newly designed Stratos Single Engine jet.
When contemplating how to improve upon the performance of the Lancair IV-P, by a factor of 50% no less (quite a lofty goal), Chief Dynamist Gordon Robinson set down a set of parameters that would satisfy a 400 knot cruise speed at an altitude of 41,000 feet and fly for 1500 miles and compete in a market where there are upwards to 11 competitors.
The Stratos, based in Redmond, Oregon has been years in the planning and took its first flight in November 2016 and has so far amassed 70 hours and even though currently restricted to 18,000 feet and 250 knots Kevin Jordan, Strato’s Chief of Sales, says they are right on target to meet their original numbers.
714 is the number stenciled on the fuselage of the aircraft. That number stands for their goal of Mach .7 with 1 Engine carrying 4 passengers (although it is possible to add additional seats).
The Stratos is the first aircraft to offer business jet performance at a VLJ cost. It will carry four passengers for 1500 NM or 6 for 1200 NM at an altitude of 41,000 feet at an 8.3 psi cabin altitude so you will arrive relaxed. The fully integrated panel and FADEC put you in complete control. It has an intuitive, side-stick control with direct feedback, which make the airplane an extension of you. The 400 knot speed is achieved by an efficient engine (the type or model may change before production) and is surely aided by its rakish, Mako Shark good looks. Full certification is the ultimate goal.
A flight demo will be given on Tuesday at 1445.
(Staff image)
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