Ibis Aerospace’s Ae270 Propjet has recently completed its first annual inspection. The aircraft has now completed over 150 flight hours. This first Ae270 has been flying since July 25 last year.

The Ae270 prototype has made significant progress throughout its flight test programme and has been authorised for an expanded flight envelope to evaluate high power climb, cruise, flutter and altitude parameters. Certification by the Czech Aviation Authority is expected in mid-2002, with US certification to follow shortly afterwards.

Other progress in the development of the Ae270 is occurring in Ibis’ product support infrastructure. The development of maintenance manuals, repair manuals and illustrated parts catalogue are progressing on schedule. Ibis anticipates having an ‘industry leading’ product support programme in place by the time the aircraft becomes certified.

Clint Johnson, product support manager, said: “Contracts with suppliers are being reviewed for warranty and components repair agreements. Long lead-time spare items have been identified and ordered to meet aircraft delivery schedules.

“We will be ready to support our customers as soon as the aircraft reaches certification.”

Meanwhile, Ibis has completed static structural testing and affirmed success with fatigue testing for the Ae270. The aircraft is undergoing a series of tests, administered by an independent research institute, intended to validate engineering data on the airframe’s structural integrity.

Static structural testing was recently completed on prototype number two built at the Aero Vodochody factory near Prague. Having undergone loading of up to 150 per cent of design criteria, the Ae270 airframe completed the test with no sign of structural defects. The tests included symmetrical and asymmetrical loading of the horizontal stabiliser and several wing tests encompassing gust loads on a combination of aileron, flap and landing gear positions.

Dynamic tests have been performed on the fourth prototype of the Ae270 development programme. Engineers at the research institute have been testing the expected load spectrum of the airframe.

The tests include pressure cycles and gust/manoeuvre loads to confirm design life data for

the aircraft.

“The results of these full-scale static and fatigue tests add to our confidence in the Ae270 Propjet,” said Jeff Conrad, vp of marketing.

“We are very pleased with the results. Structural integrity of the Ae270 will be a significant motivation factor for prospective operators.”