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AIN Special Report Competitors move toward certification and market entry by Chad Trautvetter The dawn of the very light jet (VLJ) is nearly upon us, with the first, the Eclipse 500, set to receive FAA certification in June. Hot on the heels of the Eclipse VLJ is Cessna’s Citation Mustang and 10 other VLJs fly potential competitors. While it might seem like a crowded mar- in the face ket, the VLJ category (defined as any jet aircraft with an mtow of less than 10,000 pounds) is really somewhat broad. There appear to be three distinct VLJ subcate- gories–single-engine (costing about $1 mil- lion), small-cabin (between $1 million and $2 million) and large-cabin (more than $2 million). Aviation Technology Group’s Javelin– with two tandem seats and a $2.795 of critics million price tag–is the exception to this rule, but it’s hardly a business jet either. In the single-engine category are the Diamond D-Jet and Excel-Jet Sport-Jet. Small-cabin VLJs include the Javelin, Eclipse 500 and Tam-Air Epic EliteJet. The large-cabin segment encompasses the Adam A700, Avocet ProJet, Cessna Mus- tang, Embraer Phenom 100, Eviation EV-20 Vantage, HondaJet and Spectrum 33. While competition is fairly light in the single-engine and small-cabin VLJ subcat- egories, it’s much more fierce in the large- cabin group. Therefore, any casualties are more likely to come from this crowded sub- category, though entries in the two smaller groups are far from immune to failure. In any case, this year will be a water- shed year for VLJs, with some entering service and others reaching key mile- stones. Below is an aircraft-by-aircraft update of the various VLJ programs. For abbreviated VLJ specifications and per- formance data, see chart on page 22. Single-engine VLJs Diamond D-Jet–Diamond’s Williams FJ33- powered D-Jet didn’t fly as planned in October, but first flight appears to be right around the corner. According to Diamond Diamond D-Jet North American president Peter Mauer, airplanes a month. Full production capacity completed successfully. the proof-of-concept D-Jet (S/N 001) is is estimated at 200 aircraft per year. Diamond said it has orders for 125 nearing completion at Diamond’s London, According to Mauer, Diamond recently copies of the $850,000 (2002 $) VLJ. Ontario facility and will roll out this month. changed the D-Jet interior to allow for First flight is scheduled for late this or wider aft seats. Further, flight-deck interior Excel-Jet Sport-Jet–Excel-Jet president early next month. volume has been redistributed to allow for Bob Bornhofen said all that remains to Five aircraft will participate in certifica- a three-screen–two 12-inch multifunction complete the Sport-Jet prototype is the tion flight trials, with S/Ns 004 and displays and one 15-inch primary flight dis- installation of the Williams FJ33-4A engine, 005–both customer aircraft–scheduled to play–Garmin G1000 avionics system. An delivery of which was pending at press conduct function and reliability testing. upgraded interior package has also been time. Following this installation, the four- Transport Canada certification is ex- added to the options list. seat, single-engine jet will immediately pected late next year, with FAA approval The split intake for the D-Jet’s engine start taxi trials, with first flight planned immediately following. has been validated at Williams’ facility to take place by the end of this month. First deliveries are slated to begin in using a full-scale fuselage. Additionally, Bornhofen said his “best guess” for early 2008, and by the end of that year wind-tunnel testing of a scale model certification is two years from first flight, production is planned to ramp up to eight at Washington State University has been meaning March 2008. Excel-Jet won’t start 20aaAviation International News • March 2006 • www.ainonline.com taking orders for its nearly $1 million VLJ Large-cabin VLJs until after first flight. In December, Excel-Jet announced it Adam A700–On February 6 the first pro- would build its production plant in Guthrie, duction-conforming A700 (S/N 002) made Okla. The Guthrie Industrial Development its maiden flight. S/N 002, the aerodynam- Authority is giving Excel-Jet up to $5 ics and engine test aircraft, was rolled out million in incentives to relocate its facility in early November, though at the time the from Colorado Springs to Guthrie. Excel- aircraft was far from complete. Over the Jet plans to make the move soon after next three months the build crew installed the first flight of its VLJ. the nacelles, pylons and tailcones, as well as the engine fire suppression system and Small-cabin VLJs Williams FJ33 turbofans. A nonconforming A700 prototype (S/N Aviation Technology Group Javelin–Since 001) has been flying since July 2003, log- the ATG Javelin made its maiden flight on ging more than 400 flight hours. S/N 003, September 30, the twinjet prototype has the systems test aircraft, is expected to logged about 1.5 hours in three flights. The join the test fleet later this year, as is the Tam-Air Epic EliteJet two-seat Javelin was originally scheduled first customer A700 (S/N 004), which will to fly in July, but nosewheel shimmy prob- integration into the civil and military pro- turboprop single, including the Garmin perform function and reliability testing. lems emerged during high-speed taxi tests, duction versions of the aircraft. G1000 avionics system. “Initial” certification is now planned for delaying the initial flight. ATG expects FAA certification of the First flight of the EliteJet is expected by the fourth quarter, with deliveries sched- Javelin late next year, with deliveries of the end of next month, and the company uled to start by early next year. The price of ATG Javelin the $2.795 million jet to follow in early intends to fly the first example–a produc- the A700 has surpassed the $2 million 2008. The company says it has firm orders tion-conforming airplane–to EAA AirVen- mark, and the twinjet’s order backlog now for more than 100 aircraft. ture this summer. Certification is now sits at 282, with 225 (including an order for planned for early 2008, a slight delay from 75 aircraft) of those from fleet operators. Eclipse 500–Just weeks after gaining type previous estimates. Avocet ProJet inspection authorization for the Eclipse 500 Last year, Epic Aircraft president Rick in early December, Eclipse Aviation of Schrameck said that, due to the backlog Albuquerque, N.M., confirmed that a sup- at the FAA certification branch, the Elite- plier problem has de- Jet would be certi- layed certification of its fied in Brazil first, VLJ by three months with FAA approval to late June. Despite to follow. The landing gear system was recently the setback, last But Schrameck upgraded to incorporate an emergency month Eclipse said its recently told AIN landing gear extension system, and a new five flying test aircraft that those plans canopy with improved contours was also had amassed nearly have changed; the Avocet ProJet–It appears that the Pro- installed. At press time, the Javelin prototype 1,100 flight hours dur- aircraft will now Jet, an Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)-Avo- was undergoing ground tests, with flight ing some 800 flights. be certified first by cet joint venture, doesn’t have much tests expected to resume by this month. In addition, the Transport Canada, forward momentum. Westport, Conn.- Unlike most civil aircraft, the Williams company said its test with follow-on ap- based Avocet referred AIN’s inquiries FJ33-4-17M-powered Javelin prototype fleet has passed a proval from the FAA about the twinjet program to IAI. Moshe incorporates ejection seats, which will allow series of critical test- Eclipse 500 and EASA. He cited Zilberman, IAI’s commercial air group ATG to evaluate performance capabilities ing milestones, including the Canadian authority’s marketing director, told AIN that the pro- of the military Javelin Mk 20 as well as flutter and stall characteristics, powerplant, “very can-do attitude” as the reason for gram “is in stagnation.” those of the civilian Javelin Executive. lightning strike and various avionics sys- the switch. Earlier last year IAI and Avocet said Israel Aircraft Industries is ATG’s partner in tems. Certification of the Eclipse 500’s Further, a duplicate of Epic’s 100,000- they were close to reaching a deal with a the development and marketing of military P&WC PW610F turbofan is scheduled sq-ft production plant in Bend, Ore., will third-party OEM to handle marketing and trainer derivatives of the Javelin. for this month (the PW615F for the Citation be constructed in Alberta, Canada, after-sales support. But that arrangement Excel-Jet Sport-Jet Mustang received Transport which will effectively double the manu- with the OEM–widely believed to be Canada certification on De- facturing capacity for the Las Vegas- Raytheon Aircraft–fell through. During an cember 30). based start-up. interview in September, Raytheon Aircraft Eclipse Aviation said its Continued on next page u order book for the $1.295 million Eclipse 500 exceeds 2,350 aircraft. Tam-Air Epic EliteJet–Epic Aircraft parent Aircraft Investor Resources has partnered with Republic of Georgia-based Tbilisi Aviation Machine (TAM) to build this $2.1 million very light jet. Under the partner- ship, Epic Aircraft and TAM will co-produce the twinjet. TAM will market the all-composite, According to the Englewood, Colo. six-seat VLJ as the Tam-Air EliteJet in start-up manufacturer, the Javelin proto- Eastern Europe and Asia, while the U.S.- type will be used to evaluate aircraft based start-up will sell it as the Epic Elite- performance, handling qualities and some Jet in the Americas and Western Europe.

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