Like the animating principle of life it is named for, Ibis
hopes that its newly named Ae270 propjet-now called Spirit-will
bode well for sales of the soon-to-be certificated aircraft. To
date, Ibis Aerospace-a joint venture between Aero Vodochody of
the Czech Republic and AIDC of Taiwan-holds firms orders for more
than 75 of the turboprop singles.
To commemorate the naming of the airplane, first introduced
in 1999, Ibis will be awarding eight NBAA attendees with a high-quality
model of the Spirit. A real-life model of the airplane will be
on static display at Orlando Executive Airport.
The Spirit is a large-cabin, pressurized aircraft designed
to carry up to eight passengers (plus two crew), and can cover
stage lengths of up to 1,610 nmi with fuel reserves. It can be
configured for bulk cargo, or as a six-to-seven passenger executive
transport.
First flight of the conforming prototype took place in February.
The key development, which came with the fifth aircraft produced,
was application of the Pratt & Whitney PT6-66A engine-derated
to an efficient 750 shp.
Other improvements include a pilot-side EFIS provided by Chelton
Systems. The Chelton FlightLogic synthetic vision EFIS combines
HUD symbology with real-time forward-looking 3-D terrain.
Ibis has also selected Czech Republic-based UNIS of Brno to
supply its SAM (System of Avionics Modules), which provides automated
electronic monitoring and control of flight systems such as de-icing,
fuel, trim, load factor and electrical operations. Collision avoidance
for the will be provided by Ryan International through its model
9900BX, which will be standard equipment on the airplane-with
display through the Chelton EFIS.
Approximately 55 flights with about 55 hours of flight time
have been accumulated on the Pratt-powered Ae270, with all three
prototypes racking up about 650 hours in 600+ flights.
In news announced this week, Ibis has selected SimCom to provide
pilot and technical training to operators of the Spirit. SimCom,
a subsidiary of Pan Am International Flight Academy, operates
training centers in Orlando and Scottsdale, AZ.
Executive-class seating for the Spirit will be provided by
DeCrane Aircraft Seating Co, and South Texas-based Southstar Aircraft
Interiors will provide interior completions for production aircraft.
And on the sales side, Ibis appointed East Coast Jet Center
of Stuart, FL, as a distributor for the airplane. It will cover
the southeastern U.S. plus the Caribbean. On the other side of
the world, Tristar Marketing of Bangalore, India, was appointed
to cover sales territories in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
and the Maldives Islands.
FAA certification of the Spirit is planned within the next
three months, with first deliveries scheduled for second quarter
2004. The airplane is being certificated for FAR 23 single-pilot
operation, and will be eligible for FAR Part 135 operation.
Ibis Aerospace partner Aero Vodochody is using is experience as
developer of fighter trainers such as the L-159 in building the
fuselage and cockpit-plus it is responsible for final assembly.
AIDC contributes to the program as investor, as well as supplier
of the wing and windscreen frame.
