ATG Makes a Point with the Javelin Jet

Aviation Technology Group (Booth 1421) plans to fly its Javelin high-speed personal jet in about 18 months, and intends to begin customer deliveries another 18 months after that-once the aircraft has obtained its FAA type approval. This ambitious timetable can be achieved, says ATG president George Bye, because while the Javelin offers "incredible performance, it takes a very conservative approach to build and certificate." The Javelin will use conventional aluminum materials and construction techniques, with a COTS avionics fit and Williams FJ33-4 engines. At the end of this process, ATG is promising the fastest (Mach 0.92), most powerful (in terms of outright thrust-to-weight ratio) and most efficient jet transport around-with operating costs of just $0.78 per mile.

ATG has undertaken two sessions of wind tunnel testing and two years of CFD studies. The Javelin design is now entering its detailed system integration and engineering development. George Bye predicts a first flight in early 2004, though he admits "there are many things that could affect that timing." Certification testing is expected to take another year and a half, so the first customer deliveries should occur in late 2005.

ATG says that its development funding situation is "very good" and that the project's "uniqueness" has attracted investment. Right now ATG as a company has just shy of 100 shareholders, and Bye says it has attracted interest and support from U.S. local authorities, who are hopeful of landing production work for facilities in their various states. A Javelin is priced at $2.2 million to buy, and the company is currently accepting non-binding deposits of $25,000 that are held in escrow to secure delivery positions. According to Bye, ATG has signed about 12 such "orders," with several new deals coming during the course of NBAA. ATG plans to hand over 26 aircraft to customers in its first year of deliveries.

Right now ATG is working out the last details of a major safety and training package to be offered in conjunction with a major training services provider to future Javelin customers. The final deal should be announced at the forthcoming AOPA convention. ATG also plans to establish a dealer and support network for the Javelin, and does not intend to get involved in the day-to-day business of selling aircraft beyond the early phase of the program.

ATG continues to propose its Homeland Defense Interceptor (HDI) derivative-a low-cost, missile-armed supersonic air policing variant that the company sees as the ideal candidate for point defense and air patrol tasks in the United States and elsewhere.

By Robert Hewson