Ibis Aerospace's Ae270 Propjet, touted by the company as "the new standard in regional transport", will make its first flight in late May. \rThe 10-seat, single engine turboprop was due to fly in April; EBAN sought out Jeff Conrad, marketing director at Ibis. He said: "The first flight doesn't look like it will occur until May. This is due to some final checks, and coordination of personnel with the FAA and Czech authorities. The factory is saying they need another three weeks to make everyone feel comfortable."\rHaving rolled out for its first public viewing last December, Czech and FAA certification will be in the third quarter of 2001, Ibis reports. The company is presently establishing a network of sales and service centres which it says will define the Ae270 as a "reliable workhorse even in the most remote corners of the world". \r"The Ae270 is destined to be a viable candidate for the many Part 135 operators transporting passengers, carrying freight, and performing other special missions," believes Conrad. "The 1998 single-engine turboprop IFR ruling by the FAA transformed niche and mainstream markets previously served by multi-engine aircraft. \r"The Ae270 fills this role with its ability to handle high altitudes, hot environments and, often, unimproved airports."