Fresh Hope for Ibis Ae270 as Certification Approaches
The crisis of faith suffered by the Taiwanese former backers
of the Czech-built Ae270 turboprop may be coming to an end now that the
protracted certification program is, similarly, drawing to a close.
Joint company Ibis Aerospace announced yesterday that,
having obtained an assurance that all documents have been received and are in
order, it is anticipating certification by the Czech Civil Aviation Authorities
in December. This automatically means certification by the pan-European EASA
and virtually guaranteed FAR Part 23 acceptance.
The 10-seat airplane is still in need of some weight
reduction, but the news of pending certification appears to have been
sufficient to prompt the original Taiwanese backers to reconsider their
position in the light of additional interest by others of their countrymen.
Positive and ongoing talks are expected to lead to fresh investment next year,
taking the program into the production phase.
Pressurized, the Ae270 will carry pilot and nine passengers
in high-density layout, or six/seven in executive configuration.
A freight door makes for easy conversion to utility duties.
It was last exhibited in Orlando two NBAA Conventions ago.
