Jim Christy and Steve Speer, respectively VP and president of Aerostar Aircraft Corporation, are at Booth 1461 this week, providing prospective customers with details of the forthcoming FJ-100 six/eight-seat business jet.

Based at Hayden Lake, ID, Aerostar moved its program into top gear earlier this year when it entered into an agreement with Williams International for the supply of 1,200 pounds-thrust FJ33-1 turbofans, and agreed to a certification plan with the FAA.

First orders have already been placed for the twinjet FJ-100, with Aerostar offering guaranteed performance and projected delivery dates. Specifications include 400 knots cruise, 1,520 nmi range, and 41,000-foot certified ceiling. At 93 cents per mile, direct operating costs are said to be lowest in the industry--even below most single-engine turboprops and pressurized piston twins.

Aerostar has already produced a test vehicle fuselage in prototype tooling. The prototype is expected to fly in August 2001, while first production FJ-100s will be ready for delivery from July 2002, priced at $1.895 million.