The Ae270 propjet has reached a milestone: one lifetime of airframe cycles during structural testing. Ibis says the achievement represents 20,000 simulated flight hours of stress and fatigue analysis structural substantiation as part of certification of the Ae270 by the Czech Aviation Authority (CAA).

Tests have progressed without failure as durability testing continues to 80,000 hours.

The Ae270 Propjet has been in flight test at the Aero Vodochody factory in Prague since July 25, 2000. A second prototype entered flight test on January 11, 2002.

The two aircraft combined, have logged over 250 flight hours on 256 flights.

A third, conforming prototype, is scheduled to enter flight test by the end of this year. This aircraft will incorporate the PT6A-66A engine.