Century Aerospace Does It Twice

Bill Northrup, president of Century Aerospace (Booth 7522), pulled the wraps off the newly re-engined Century Jet 100 at an official unveiling just minutes after the NBAA Convention opened Monday. The original Century Jet, which was to have been powered by a single Williams/Rolls-Royce FJ44-1 engine, now will have a pair of Williams International FJ33-1 engines.

The FJ-33-1, the latest addition to the Williams family of small, lightweight fanjets, is in the 1,200-pounds-thrust class, although specifics remain unclear with regard to the Century Jet.

The decision to switch from a single- to a twin-engine configuration caused no small amount of screaming from the Century Aerospace marketing department, admitted Northrup. But when Williams revealed to Century that it was developing the FJ33, it was an easy decision to remake the airplane into a twin.